Electronic image visualization system and communication methodologies

ABSTRACT

An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch. In a preferred embodiment, the librarian logic, the performance logic and the communications management logic are defined by program data stored in the data storage apparatus, and the processor is responsive to the program data for managing data formatting, displaying music, and management of communications of data with the external apparatus. In one embodiment, two Performer subsystems are operable alternatively as one of a single appliance as a linked set a linked mode and as two independent appliances a stand-alone mode, wherein in the linked mode each of the two Performer subsystems operate cooperatively with each other as a linked set to provide a two page display on the video presentation, and wherein in the stand alone mode each of the two Performer subsystems operates independently and mutually exclusive of the other to provide two independent and mutually exclusive single page displays on the video presentation. The present invention also relates to a method for providing for video display of music responsive to the music data stored in a music database. The method is comprised of defining a page of music image data from the music database; defining ordered logical sections; storing the mapping in a memory for selective retrieval; and providing for the video display of the music responsive to the mapping and the storing.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/323,526 filedDec. 18, 2002—a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 09/492,218filed Jan. 27, 2000—a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No.09/039,952 filed Mar. 16, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,168—acontinuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 08/677,469 filed Jul. 10,1996, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,960.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of music. More particularly,the present invention relates to an architecture, system, apparatus andmethodology relating to the construction and utilization of a subsystem(or a plurality of subsystems) for displaying musical compositions,either batch or in a real time environment, and processing andcommunicating music data and/or user performances.

Music is usually only available in the written form for one (or a fixedset of) performer/instrument types in a fixed key. Adaptations orvariations of musical arrangements are complex and costly. Remotelylocated musicians are unable to effectively practice together. Smallcommunities each with only a few musicians are limited to practicingwith the few musicians they have.

Performers of music have many inconveniences to deal with. One suchinconvenience deals with the composing, distribution, and utilization ofmusic display presentation, traditionally sheet music. Another majorproblem relates to the inconvenience of scheduling and physicalgathering of multiple musicians (including instrumentalists andvocalists), which when combined in their performance provide a musicalensemble or orchestra. For example, high school band practice requiresthat all students be available to practice at the same time at the sameplace (i.e., the school music room). However, this creates difficultiesin that many students have other activities which conflict with bandpractice which is then incomplete. Additionally, when composing,musicians often will come up with an idea when physically not withanother musician.

Musicians typically work from sheet music. When composing, they writethe notes down on paper that has a number of staffs. If the musiciantransposes a composition from one key to another, the notes are alsowritten down on the staff paper. The scores for different instrumentsmust also be generated and written down. All of the scores are thencopied for distribution to other musicians and/or music stores.

When performing, the sheet music must be found, for all parts to beplayed, manually distributed, manually set-up, manually handled (turnpages, etc.). There is also an unfulfilled need for quick access to amore comprehensive database of music for the performing musician,whether he is solo or part of an orchestra. Also, musicians oftenperform audience requests, and require access to sheet music forrequested songs. Presently, there are various combinations of songscompiled in “FAKE” Books, usually by category (e.g., rock, country,blues, big band, etc.). This is only of limited help. Furthermore, theuse of paper sheet music is cumbersome and inconvenient; pages often getdamaged or lost, and indexed access is poor and slow.

This method of composing and distributing music is inadequate when themusic is used by a band or orchestra that requires hundreds of copies.If the conductor desires the piece to be played in a different key orcertain sections of the music edited to suit the conductor's tastes, thecomposition must be rewritten and the new transposed copy distributed tothe band or orchestra. This is a very costly, time-consuming, andlaborious task if the orchestra has a large number of members.

Additionally, if the composition does not have a part for a certaininstrument, the conductor must generate the required part from theoriginal composition. After the score for the required instruments hasbeen generated, the parts must be copied and distributed to theindividual musicians. This, again, is a very costly and laborious taskif the band has a large number of musicians requiring different parts.There is a need, therefore, for a more efficient way of transposing,editing, and distributing music scores.

Over the past many years, great advances have been made in theelectronic input, storage, and display of music. Electronic bands andorchestras are constructed using computers and MIDI equipment. Programsexist for personal computers (e.g., Apple Macintosh, DOS, and Windowsmachines) for an individual to use the computer for transposing music,composing music. Programs also exists for automatically inputting musicfrom direct performance (such as directly from a keyboard,electronically through MIDI converters (such as for string instruments),via pickups and microphones, and sequencers, tone generators, etc.) Togenerate digital data and/or music notation.

Musicians often perform both pre-planned and ad hoc compositions duringthe course of a performance. It would therefore be desirable to have theability to access a large database of musical compositions on demand. Itwould also be desirable to permit communication and synchronization of amusic presentation to multiple performing musicians who are playingtogether. It would also be desirable for a performing musician to havehis or her performance of the music input onto an individual musicworkstation, and stored, and analyzed by an automated system, and/orcommunicated to one or more other networked (remote) individual musicworkstations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, electronic music standapparatus system and methodologies relating thereto are presented. Theelectronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystemcomprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic,and communications management logic. The communications management logicprovides management of communication via the communications interfacewith external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and thelibrarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus canbe integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user inputapparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, astylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a gamecontroller, and a switch. In a preferred embodiment, the librarianlogic, the performance logic and the communications management logic aredefined by program data stored in the data storage apparatus, and theprocessor is responsive to the program data for managing dataformatting, displaying music, and management of communications of datawith the external apparatus. In one embodiment, two Performer subsystemsare operable alternatively as one of a single appliance as a linked seta linked mode and as two independent appliances a stand-alone mode,wherein in the linked mode each of the two Performer subsystems operatecooperatively with each other as a linked set to provide a two pagedisplay on the video presentation, and wherein in the stand alone modeeach of the two Performer subsystems operates independently and mutuallyexclusive of the other to provide two independent and mutually exclusivesingle page displays on the video presentation. The present inventionalso relates to a method for providing for video display of musicresponsive to the music data stored in a music database. The method iscomprised of defining a page of music image data from the musicdatabase; defining ordered logical sections; storing the mapping in amemory for selective retrieval; and providing for the video display ofthe music responsive to the mapping and the storing. Bookmarking andnavigation logic provide for quick, user-friendly navigation through thestored pages of music data, including providing for user marking oflocations, entry of bookmark data, etc. A draw mode provides the userwith the ability to annotate an image overlay layer presented atop themusic page display associated with a specific page and location in thestored music data. These and other aspects and attributes of the presentinvention will be discussed with reference to the following drawings andaccompanying specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates two types of music workstations stands, in the formof a music stand (105 or 300) with a liquid crystal display, is used byan operator (e.g., performer, conductor, etc.) to select one or moremusical compositions.

FIG. 2 illustrates a music communication system comprising multipleworkstations (200) each comprising a display (210), some with atouch-screen input display (211), others with user input such as akeypad (222), a joystick (224), push buttons (225; 226), a microphone(227), and a speaker (228), communication interface means (240) such asa wireless interface including an antenna (231), or alternatively oradditionally a wired or cabled communication interface (240), and alocal microcomputer subsystem (250) that provides local intelligence andmanagement of functions in the workstation.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware architecture for an electronic MusicPerformer System (300) and various peripherals using standard componentsof computer systems.

FIG. 4 illustrates a hand-held embodiment (410) of a one-screenelectronic music stand performer system (100) of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates two touch-screen displays (503; 504) with acommunications interface (501) providing a two-screen display electronicmusic stand performer system apparatus is illustrated.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an electronic performermusic stand system of FIG. 5 but including three display screens.

FIG. 7A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the Performer Subsystem(200) implemented utilizing a separate component subsystem (e.g., asingle board computer (701; 705; 706; 710) coupled to a componenttouch-screen display or other input and display subsystems (715).

FIG. 7B illustrates two Performer Subsystems (200) (as illustrated inFIG. 7A) coupled together as a linked set via communications interfacecoupling (711) on each of the Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B) viacoupling (720), also illustrating the bi-directional communications(220) between the two Performer Subsystems.

FIG. 7C illustrates the management functions of the communicationsbetween the multiple Performer Systems (e.g., (100; 200; 300; 400)illustrated as managed either by centralized controller (730) oralternatively distributed among a plurality of the Performer Systems.

FIG. 8 illustrates the functional and logical interaction of the layersof the software logic architecture of the systems and relative to thephysical hardware architecture of the systems of FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of an touch sensitive LCD display usedfor input control and for displaying the information from the processorand memory.

FIG. 10 illustrates an architecture of plurality of the electronic musicstand Performer Systems of FIGS. 1-9 (made up of various electronicmusic stand products (800 A-C )) connected by a communication channel(801), with network logic (803 A-C ) in each product thatself-configures to the environment it finds itself in (such as using theavailable communication channel (801) and finding other products tointeract with).

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the workstations are remote units (901; 902; 903)equipped with a respective receiver (910; 911; 912) that provide forreceipt of communications including receive music data representationsof musical selections or compositions transmitted to them, and used bymembers of a marching band.

FIG. 12 illustrates the overall operation by one embodiment of the musiccomposition communication workstation.

FIG. 13 illustrates a functional/logical block diagram for oneembodiment of the present invention, illustrating both structure andstate flow for start up and operation of the electronic music standperformer system in one embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present inventionprovided where one or more workstations (105) include, at a minimum, adisplay of the music notation and is coupled to a master musiccommunications controller (415) that provides for a separate user input(411) which provides input interface that designate requested musicalcompositions, transformations, and display requests for various ones ofthe coupled workstations.

FIG. 15A illustrates the operation of the automated mode “A Mode” (1240)is illustrated, where the user selection of the desired automatic modeis detected and responded to, illustrated as the auto-advance mode(1242), the training mode (1244), the performance mode (1246), or anyone of a number of other modes (1248) as is described in further detailhereinafter.

FIG. 15B illustrates the automated mode “A Mode 2” (1244) operation ofFIG. 15A illustrated corresponding to the training mode wherein thesystem tracks the performance (1280) of the individual user to thecomposition score, primarily for the purpose of permitting a criticalanalysis and comparison of the performance to the score (1282).

FIG. 16 illustrates, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, amethodology and system is provided for processing structuring musicimage data and bookmarks and text related to respective bookmark.

FIG. 17 illustrates the manual mode (1250), which provides for usermanual selection of functions (1252), such as hitting a button or atouch screen to cause the turning of the page of the display, or to goback a page or to scroll forwards or backwards, or to increase the fontsize or magnification of the music presentation.

FIG. 18 illustrates the automated mode 1 for auto-advance operation(1242) of FIG. 15A, where the user has selected an auto-advanceperformance mode, “A Mode 1” (1271), wherein the system tracks theperformance by the user of the composition to the music notation (e.g.composition or score) (1272).

FIG. 19 illustrates automated mode 3 “A Mode 3”, the performance mode(1246) wherein the operation is as in automated mode 1 (auto-advancemode) except that no user over-ride is permitted and wherein its primarypurpose is to accompany the performer during the entire performance of ascore as an automated page turner.

FIG. 20 illustrates the operation of automated mode 4 (“A Mode 4”) whichprovides for the processing of other automated functions selected by thesystem, such as conductor mode, karaoke mode, etc.

FIG. 21 illustrates a conductor, stage hand, or other person with asensor glove on each hand (1435) and a head and eye movement monitor(1430), and also illustrates the conductor wearing full body sensorequipment (1440).

FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment wherein only the gloves (1435) or bodysensors (1444) are used, and the movement of the glove or sensors iscaptured by a video system.

FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative method for providing for videodisplay of music stored a music database, wherein after pages have beenloaded in the database they are prepared for display (2300), and thepages are ordered in processing block (2301) (which defines 1^(st)slices) so as to be in logical page order in correspondence to theirpage numbers or some other ordering as desired.

FIG. 24 illustrates the preparation and processing of the display datafor video display, comprising dividing a page (2401) into three (or anynumber of) 1^(st) slices (2410; 2420; 2430), and wherein if a next1^(st) slice is found, processing block (2305) defines 2^(nd) slices,whereafter Processing block (2304) obtains the next 1^(st) slice andprocessing block (2305) defines 2^(nd) slices for each 1^(st) slice.

FIG. 25 shows typical completely sliced page.

FIG. 26 illustrates one preferred embodiment for selecting the bookmarksfor display.

FIG. 27 illustrates the logic and flow for event processing inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates various objects in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawing, and will be described herein indetail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific embodiments illustrated.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a system controller, in the form of a musicstand (105) with a liquid crystal display, is used by an operator (e.g.,performer, conductor, etc.) to select one or more musical compositions.FIG. 1 illustrates two types of music workstations stands. Theworkstation stand (105) provides certain optional features for a morefull-featured stand, including as illustrated, speakers (140) bothwireless and wired communications capability, and as illustrated, showsthe processor with memory (115) as an external separate component. Themaster music stand (300) shows the integration of the processor andmemory into the music stand itself, and also shows both wireless(antenna (101)) and wired connection (port (107)) to permit networkcommunication. Alternatively, the non-master conductor stand (105) canhave all or part of the features integrated into the master music stand(300). Depending on the function for which the music workstation standwill be used, some or all of the features can be provided for that standto minimize costs or optimize versatility. For example, in onesituation, only the teacher or conductor needs the full-featured,full-powered music workstation. In that case, the performers or studentsdo not have a full-feature workstation, but rather a scaled-down versionof the workstation stand. In the preferred embodiment, a user inputdevice (110) (such as a touch screen, microphone, keyboard, switches,voice recognition system, visual recognition system, etc.) is coupled tothe processor in a wired (such as over a cable or fiber optic link) orwireless (such as over an RF link or infrared link) manner forworkstation stand (105), or directly to the processor, where it is builtinto the system controller as a workstation. The user can select anoriginal musical composition from the touch screen of the liquid crystaldisplay (135). The processor responds by storing that composition in thememory (113) of the local workstation of the user as requested.

Using the touch sensitive LCD (135), the user can now create aderivative musical composition. The touch sensitive LCD allows the userto selectively enter the musical key in which the original compositionwill be played, edit any notes desired, and select the instruments andparts that will be playing the composition. The composition asoriginally composed, and the derivative or modified composition can beplayed back to the user over speakers (140) so that he or she may listen(e.g., such as to observe how the changes will sound) while optionallypermitting simultaneous viewing of the score on the presentation visualdisplay. Once the score has been designated (e.g., selected, edited,etc.) to the users (e.g., conductor's) taste, the appropriate portions(e.g., by musical instrument) of the scores can then be transmitted for(optional storage and) display to the respective associated individualmusic workstation stands of the band members.

In a preferred embodiment, each stand has an input device (110) thatpermits the user of the stand to select which instrument will be usingthe stand. (As discussed above, this input device can take the form of atouch sensitive screen or a number of buttons or switches or voice oraudio recognition, etc.)

In the preferred embodiment, each individual music workstation stand(105) can be directly and/or remotely programmed to addressably receive(and optionally to locally convert) and display the music score that isintended for the respective instrument type (user type) that will beusing (is associated with) the stand. As an example, the user of thestand (or a remote conductor) can input their selection of saxophoneinto the user input device (110) of the workstation stand (105), toprogram that workstation stand (105) only to display and/or receive themusical score for the saxophone (see FIG. 9). Then, the musical scoresfor all selected parts can be independently broadcast to all connectedworkstation stands, with each individual workstation stand individuallydistinguishing and displaying/accepting only its part. Alternatively,each workstation stand can be individually addressed for separatebroadcast reception of its own respective selected part. Additionally,the user of the stand can program the user input to select a musicalpart of a selected musical composition (e.g., saxophone first chair) andreceive only the musical score intended for that chair. This sameprocedure can be followed for other instruments within the band ororchestra. Alternatively, a single music composition can be broadcast toall workstations, where each workstation has local intelligence(processing and storage) to permit local conversion for display at eachworkstation for the selected instrument for each workstation.Alternatively, all workstations can be loaded with all the parts, andthen individually enabled to display only selected parts.

For wireless communications, the individual music workstation stands(105) are comprised of receivers (or transceivers where bi-directionalcommunication is desired) and antennas (101, 103) for receiving (ortransceiving) the radio frequency information from (and to) the masterworkstation (such as for the conductor). The music stand also has adisplay (such as an LCD (135)) for displaying the musical score intendedfor that stand.

The form of the musical score communication can be easily shaped to fitneeds. One example is MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interfacestandard) which has advantages such as of bandwidth of storage used, iswidely available commercially, is standardized, etc. However, signalprocessing, text, icon-based, object based, and various other forms ofstorage, user interface, and processing can also be applied to morespecific applications of product.

A workstation for an oboe may have a built in slide boom with afeatherweight microphone to be able to receive sound input from theoboe. Electric instruments, such as guitars, keyboards, and otherelectrical analog signal sources can be fed directly to a line inputthat is appropriately buffered and filtered. Signal input can also beaccommodated through a MIDI-interface sub-system that permits bothutilization of data in workstation to workstation communications andutilization of MIDI-output at the station where the data was input.

The workstation further includes an optional musical instrument input(112) and a musical instrument output (113) that permit the coupling ofa musical instrument via a musical instrument interface (114) directlyto the workstation. Thus, a keyboard, electric guitar throughappropriate input, or a microphone input through the interface (114)permits instruments or voices to be directly input to the workstationfor direct input independent of the microphone (127). See also FIG. 2.

It is well known in the art to convert user analog audio input into adigital format, ranging from straight Analog to Digital (e.g., A/D)conversion to processed data conversion to encoded digital music data,such as MIDI. Examples of MIDI include guitar input or other stringedinstrument input through microphones or directly to MIDI-converters, orvoice/non-pickup instruments through microphone converted to MIDI-input,or keyboard MIDI-input. Such input systems are commercially availablefrom numerous companies for numerous types of interfaces at numerousinterface levels. Similarly, numerous A/D converter subsystems arecommercially available at chip and board solution levels (such as fromAnalog Devices Corporation and from Mattrox Systems).

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, means areprovided to permit a user of the music workstation to accomplish atransposition of a musical composition in pitch, tempo, and otherwise.In a preferred embodiment, the lead voice or instrument can audiblyindicate the key via the microphone input or via another type of inputstimulus. The workstation can analyze the user input, determine the key,pitch and tempo for a musical composition being partially performed bythe user, and adjust and transform the composition to be displayed inthe new user desired key, pitch, tempo, etc., either solely for use onthat workstation, or communication for use on one or more otherworkstations. In a networked version, this user input can also becommunicated to other workstations for use by one or more of theworkstations in transposing, or communicated to a master workstation,which transposes and rebroadcasts the transposed composition.

Alternatively, the user can input the pitch, tempo, and key via the userinput (e.g. keypad, joystick, push buttons, voice recognition, playingof an instrument, etc.) and the system performs the transformation anddisplays (and/or prints out and/or audibly performs) the modifiedtransformed composition for the user. Additionally, where a musicalcomposition is written for one instrument and a different or additionalinstrument version is desired for simultaneous performance, the user canindicate the other instruments via the user input, and the system willgenerate the appropriate displays. The workstation can also provide anaudio output of the transformed musical composition, either for theindividual additional instrument or voice transform and present it, orfor the composite of additional versions and the original version, tohear the blended piece.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the music data can be stored locally on themusic workstation (105) or master workstation (300), or can be storedexternally (111), such as on a large hard drive or CD ROM jukebox, in adigital format as a music library (120). The music library (120) can becoupled to a processor subsystem (115) for local management, or can bewirelessly coupled via transmitter (125) via antenna (103). Couplingfrom the processor subsystem (115) can be wireless or cabled (viacoupling 116) such as through a shielded cable, fiber optic conductor,switched connection (such as via phone lines), local, or remote. Theprocessor (115) has the local storage capacity (e.g., semiconductormemory, disk storage, etc.) to hold the digitized version of the musiccomposition transmitted to it on request from the library (120), and canprovide local user input/output interface and display. The music librarycan be local or proximately remote from the rest of the system.

The music library can be contained (“stored”) on non-volatile storageeither locally or at a remote central site containing the entire (or asubset) database of all possible music (that is then downloaded to localstorage on request, either real-time at performance time or in advance.)

Alternatively, the music library can be provided on storage medium thatcan be easily transported and used on site locally with the presentationsystem. Thus, for example, disk drives, cartridges, FLASH RAM cards,plug-in memory modules, or a CD-ROM or multiple CD-ROMs in a CD-ROMchanger can be used to store and contain massive data libraries onmusical compositions. While this would be a more expensive route thanshared use of a central library, requiring each musical group to obtainlibraries on all possible compositions they may want, it has theadvantage of speed, flexibility, no need for communication with aseparate remote source, and creates a whole new mass marketing area(such as for CDs or Digital Audio Tape (DATs)). Another way of utilizingthis technology is to maintain a history of music used, either with theremote music library or local music library. This could be done for manyreasons, including copyright royalty assessment, determining a historyof musical performances and requests for future use in determiningperformance itineraries, etc. Alternatively, a hybrid of locally storedand centrally shared libraries can be utilized to optimize cost, speedand flexibility benefits.

A multi CD ROM changer accommodates indexed storage of hundreds ofthousands to millions of musical compositions to permit completestand-alone operation of the user music workstation. Alternatively, anoptional built-in or external modem can be provided to permitinter-communication with a remote central music database managementsystem that permits both communication and down loading (and disconnect)for stand alone operation. Thus the workstation can stay on-line,pulling up music as needed, or can request a single or multiple piecesof musical works be provided to it, that are then downloaded from thecentral database manager. The user workstation then disconnects from themusic database management system, and thereafter operates stand-alonewhere all desired music is stored locally in storage (preferablynon-volatile). Storage can be semiconductor, magnetic, optical or anyother medium.

As described above, the processor subsystem (115) and non-volatilestorage (120) music library can be built directly into one of the musicworkstations (105) to be a master (300), with the other workstationsbeing slaves, that can either include the processor subsystem andnon-volatile storage or can be lower cost dummy slave terminals. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, a first master workstation (300) provides a basicworkstation subsystem (200) plus contains the processor subsystem (280)and non-volatile storage system (285) as a part thereof so as to providea complete stand alone music communication system, and be capable ofacting as a master or master/slave. This master workstation(s) (300) canfunction as a stand alone, or can couple to one or more otherworkstations, including one or more masters (300) and/or one or morenon-master workstations (105).

The stand alone workstation(s) (105), are coupled to the shared databaseinterface (405), and can either couple remotely (e.g., via phone lines)to the remote shared music database or to a local shared or dedicatedmusic database (410). The shared music database (410) can either beprimarily a storage means (e.g., hard disk, DVD or CD-ROM), or caninclude a processing sub-system (420) for local intelligence. In oneembodiment, the stand-alone music workstation includes the shared musicdatabase (410) and interface (405), non-volatile local storage mediumfor the shared databases (410), and a local processing Subsystem (420),and can operate completely stand-alone. In an alternate embodiment ofthis stand-alone device, the shared database interface is contained inthe stand-alone workstation (but not the shared music database orprocessing subsystem), and provides capability for communication with astored database (410) remote from the stand-alone device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a music communication system is illustratedcomprising multiple workstations (200) each comprising a display (210),some with a touch-screen input display (211), others with user inputsuch as a keypad (222), a joystick (224), push buttons (225; 226), amicrophone (227), and a speaker (228). The workstation also includescommunication interface means (240) such as a wireless interfaceincluding an antenna (231), or alternatively or additionally a wired orcabled communication interface (240). Each workstation further includesa local microcomputer subsystem (250) that provides local intelligenceand management of functions in the workstation. Each workstation can bea master (e.g. (300)) or non-master (e.g. (105)) workstation.

An expert system can be built from commercially available technology,including component hardware systems with supporting software, as wellas commercially available software packages which operate oncommodity-type personal and business computers such as the Macintosh byApple Computer, Windows and DOS machines based on the X86 and Pentiumprocessor technology of Intel, technology based on the Power PC and68XXX processor by Motorola, DEC PDP-11 technology, Sun workstations,Fujitsu, Hitachi, Texas Instruments, etc. Custom microcomputer or DSPbased system architecture on a chip can also be constructed, as well asASICs, custom or semi-custom logic.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware architecture for an electronic MusicPerformer System (300) and various peripherals using standard componentsof computer systems, such as an AC to DC power adapter (301).Optionally, the user may attach an Uninterruptible Power Supply, UPS(302) for backup power and/or high batteries can be provided within thepackaging for untethered operation as well as for emergency backups. AUSB storage device (e.g. Flash RAM, CD, hard disk (303) is illustratedas one of the optional USB devices that may be attached to the USBinterface (372). The USB devices include wireless (e.g. IEEE 802.11 (a)or (b) access point, MIDI to USB Input/Output Bi-directional Interface,keyboards, mouse, touch-pads, video cameras, microphones, speakers, etc.Footswitches (304) can be coupled (wired or wirelessly) to the printerport (373), serial (RS-232) Adapter (371), USB interface (372), etc. Astandard keyboard and mouse (305) can be coupled to a separate keyboardadapter (371).

Referring again to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a single (touch-screeninput) display embodiment of the electronic music stand performer system(100). The electronics and computing technology is housed within acasing (102), and a single touch-screen input display (135) is provided,along with network connection (103; 104), digital and analoginput/output connections (106) (such as for coupling to footswitches,USB connectors, etc.). The vertical support (107). couples to a mountingbracket on the casing (102). The bottom of the vertical support attachesto a floor-base (108). The vertical support (107) and floor-base (108)can be constructed from any commercially available product (such asavailable from Wenger, Inc., Minneapolis, Mich. or customizedconstruction) as in the description of FIG. 1, providing balancedsupport for the weight of the equipment atop it, including tripod,teardrop shaped cast iron galumenimenn, etc. The vertical support (107)and floor-base (108) may be the same or different from those providedfor the two-screen performer system of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the casing(102) can be handheld with various weight/handprint combinations ofcolor touch screen systems ranging from palm (e.g. PDA) size 3″ andunder one pound to mobile [e.g. eBook] size 8″ and one pound to 10″ and1.6 pounds to 12″ or 15″ five plus pounds or mounted to another object(from handheld size to stand/piano size e.g. a piano, wall, table, etc.,to projection and Arena Size systems (such as are commercially availablefrom Barco Ltd., and other vendors)).

FIG. 4 illustrates a hand-held embodiment (410) of a one-screenelectronic music stand performer system (100) of FIG. 1. In thisembodiment, the system (410) is made to be portable for being held inthe hands of a performer, a student, a music librarian, stage hands, aproducer, a director, a teacher, etc. The device (410) is preferablybattery operated and communicates via wireless means, such as IEEE802.11(b) and/or 802.11(a) systems commercially available from numerousvenders including Lucent/Orinico, Cisco Systems Inc., Intel, Belden,Apple Computer, and others. Although usually less desirable, AC powerand wired communication are also available options. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the hand-held electronic music stand performer system (410)contains electronics and computing technology housed within a casing(403) and provides for a single touch-screen input display (404).Alternatively, a non-touch-screen input (e.g. touch-pad, mouse,keyboard, switch) and non-touch screen display can form subsystem (404).FIG. 4 also illustrates network communication via coupling (405) (assimilarly illustrated in FIG. 1). Input/output coupling are provided viaconnectors (such as USB, serial) (401) (such as for footswitches), USB,etc. In general, the portable system illustrated in FIG. 4 is lighter inweight, and smaller in size than the systems illustrated in FIG. 1. Inan alternate embodiment, the electronic music stand performer system ofFIG. 3 can be implemented utilizing a PDA (programmable personal digitalassistant) (currently commercial available as Palm Pilot O/S and WinCEapparatus) with appropriate input/output connections, switches, anetwork interface and custom application software providing presentationlogic, librarian logic, communications logic and hardware control.

Referring to FIG. 5, a two-screen display electronic music standperformer system apparatus is illustrated. The electronic music standapparatus (500) is comprised of a casing (502) that houses electronicsand computing technology comprising: a processor, a non-volatile datastorage apparatus, a communications interface, a user interface for userinput and a display apparatus which can be combined as a touch-screeninput display. FIG. 5 illustrates two touch-screen displays (503; 504).The communications interface (501) provides for coupling to thecommunications interface of the electronic music stand performer system.Wired and wireless communications interfaces (501; 505, as shown in FIG.5), are readily commercially available from multiple vendors and viavarious alternative means, (e.g.: Ethernet, serial, USB, Firewire (IEEE1364) and IEEE 802.11(a), IEEE 802.11(b), etc.) Digital connectorsexternal to the casing (502) provide for coupling components via theinterface (501); examples of components include: footswitches,non-volatile storage devices (e.g., USB Flash/RAM, CD-ROMs, hard-drives,other switches control signal sources etc.) Analog connectors (505)provide for coupling of analog signals such as MIDI, SMPTE, click-track(audio signal), Audio In/Audio Out, variable analog control signal (suchas for dimming brightness with house lights in a theater, orchestra pit,or on stage etc., to the interface (501). FIG. 1 shows two pages ofdisplay (503; 504) providing for display of imageinformation—illustrated as music data (506). The present invention alsoincludes display of any image data utilized for facilitating orotherwise enhancing performance, including graphics, text animations,video-in-video, instant messaging, collaborative networking of editingand selective or transfer of music composition, announcements, etc. Theelectronic performer system can also be provided in a modified form forintegrated use on the back of seats in the performing venue or part of aKiosk system in the lobbies of the theater. A centralized server systemprovides for management of the integrated use systems and for providingthe music database.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an electronic performermusic stand system including three display screens. The three-screensystem embodiment (600), is comprised of a base architecture similar tothat of FIGS. 1 and 2: a floor-base (609) supports a vertical support(608). The base architecture is coupled to a mounting bracket on acasing (602) that houses electronics and computing technology for theelectronic music stand performer three-screen system (600), and theillustrated embodiment comprises three separate touch-screen inputdisplays (603; 604; 605). A network interface coupling (601) andinput/output connections (606) are provided analogous to thoseillustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. The embodiment of FIG. 6 may becomprised of any number of screens greater than two. The screens may bearranged in any combination of landscape and portrait displayorientations. The option of a multiple-page display adds functionalityand flexibility with regard to intended use. In this embodiment, aperson using the electronic music stand system may view multiple pagesat a time. Therefore, several pages may be advanced or reversed inviewing order respective to the number of displays inherent to thesystem. For example, in the three-screen embodiment of FIG. 4, pages 1,2 and 3 may be displayed at one time, and upon advancement, pages 4, 5and 6 may be displayed. In comparison, for example, FIG. 5 illustratesthe embodiment with two screens displaying pages 1 and 2 simultaneously,and upon advancement, pages 3 and 4 may be displayed. The screens in allmulti-screen embodiments can be positioned side-by-side horizontally,vertically, diagonally, and other ways.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor subsystem (280) includes anappropriate communications interface (240) such as for wired interface(241) or for wireless interface (232) including antenna (233). Theprocessor subsystem couples to a non-volatile storage medium (282)containing, among other things, application programs, transformationprograms, and either a shared music library interface applicationprogram and/or the actual shared music library and access program.

The processor subsystem can be implemented utilizing a microprocessor,non-volatile storage memory, read/write memory, and whatever additionalperipheral circuitry is needed (such as are available in ASICs, orsingle chip micro-computer chip sets including CPUs, DSPs, A/D, andother input/output and peripheral support circuitry). These single ormultiple chip solutions, or single board computing systems, or generalpurpose computing systems (e.g. running windows, MAC, Lunix, LINUX, PalmO/S, or eBook operating systems), can be utilized to create a dedicatedsystem to perform complete music workstations performance criteria tosupport an extremely low cost, high volume music workstation solution.

Referring to FIG. 7A, an alternate embodiment is illustrated. ThePerformer Subsystem (200) is implemented utilizing a separate componentsubsystem (e.g., a single board computer (701; 705; 706; 710) coupled toa component touch-screen display or other input and display subsystems(715) (such as from Advantech (U.S.A., Taiwan)). The aforementionedcomponents are commercially available from multiple vendors (see forexample EEM, vol. 1-4, 2002; also see IEEE Computer Society; also seeproduct offerings of Intel, AMD, Texas Instruments, Hitachi, Toshiba,and others for all hardware machinery components. Alternatively, theymay be custom-designed and engineered to include a specific feature setto provide for optimal enabling of the claimed invention.

The electronics and computing technology are contained within a case(e.g. any of the cases (102; 202; 303; 402)) respectively illustratedand provides housing for one or more Performer Subsystems (100; 200;300; 310) therein. In a preferred embodiment, each system has atouch-screen input display associated with it as a separate stand-aloneperformer subsystem. In an alternate embodiment, a single performersubsystem can provide additional display output capability to providefor management of a second or multiple other touch-screen input displayutilizing the remainder of the electronics and computing technology ofthe performer subsystem (200).

In another embodiment, the processing subsystem (processor, data storageapparatus, communications interface, display output and input/outputconnectors) is coupled to a plurality of display apparatuses withassociated input apparatuses that do not utilize touch-screen inputtechnology. Thus, an inexpensive single-board computer can be utilizedwith an add-on display apparatus, an input apparatus and a storageapparatus.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C, in addition to the communicationsbetween Performer Subsystems (e.g., (200-A; 200-B)) comprising oneperformer system (e.g., 725), communication interfaces and protocols areprovided for data exchange to external subsystems and for otherPerformer Systems (e.g. (100; 200; 300; 600; 200; 725)). In oneembodiment, communications between the Performer Subsystems within thePerformer System linked set (intra-communication) and, forcommunications among the Performer Systems (inter-communication) allutilize a shared communications channel. In an alternate embodiment,separate communications interface channels are provided forintra-communications between Performer Subsystems in a linked setPerformer System and for inter-communication among the PerformerSystems, wherein communications are via one or multiple communicationschannels and may utilize any of a variety of technologies including USB,Ethernet, serial, parallel, Firewire, etc. For example, thecommunication between the Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B) may beimplemented utilizing one type of communication channel such asEthernet, USB or serial, and communication among Performer Systems maybe implemented utilizing the same communications channel as in thesubsystems or a separate communications channel. Thus for example, twoseparate Ethernet physical connections may be provided to the performersystem—one for communication among internal subsystems(intra-communication) (e.g. wired Ethernet) and one for communicationwith external Performer Systems stand alone or linked(inter-communication) (e.g. wireless). The types of physical connectorsfor communications from subsystem to subsystem and performer system toperformer system can be varied as a matter of design choice.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, two Performer Subsystems (200) as illustratedin FIG. 7A) are coupled together as a linked set via communicationsinterface coupling (711) on each of the Performer Subsystems (200-A;200-B) via coupling (720). More than two subsystems (200) can be coupledtogether in an alternate linked set embodiment. The coupling (720)between the Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B) can be provided via awired or wireless communications interface, e.g., Ethernet, serial, USB,Firewire (IEEE 1364) and IEEE 802.11(a), IEEE 802.11(b), etc. In oneembodiment, using Ethernet, each communication interface (710) in afirst Performer Subsystem (e.g., 200-A) establishes a listener on aspecific port. Another communication interface (710) in anotherPerformer Subsystem (e.g., 200-B) initiates a communication with thelistener port in the Performer Subsystem (200-A). A communicationsession is then established between Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B)using mutually negotiated ports on the respective Performer Subsystems.In the linked set embodiment, the two Performer Subsystems (200-A;200-B) communicate and operate cooperatively to serve as a singletwo-screen performer system (725) operating as a linked set in aninterlinked mode, wherein the two Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B)operate as a single electronic music stand performer system applianceproviding for synchronous page-turning. The interlinked mode providesfor regular communication between the two Performer Subsystems (200-A;200-B). In an alternate operational mode—the stand-alone mode—the system(725) provides for independent and mutually exclusive operation of eachof the two or more Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B) as stand-aloneelectronic music stand Performer Systems. Each stand-alone electronicmusic stand Performer subsystem (200-A; 200-B) independently providesfor page-turning and display within the system (725).

In a preferred embodiment, operation of the linked set in theinterlinked mode has an automatic fail-safe operational fallback modeutilized in the interlinked mode operation with two or more PerformerSubsystems (200) within the multi-screen linked set performer system(725). In the automatic fail-safe mode, each of the Performer Subsystems(200-A; 200-B) is further comprised of session monitor logic (722) formonitoring the other one or more of the performer subsystems (200-A;200-B) in the interlinked pair via the communications interface coupling(711). If either performer subsystem (200-A; 200-B) fails to maintainthe communications protocol, the remaining performer subsystem convertsoperation to the stand-alone mode, and continues operation from the timeof operation when it detected the communication failure; thereaftercontinuing in a single page turn mode. System (725) operation isdisrupted during the transition between page/screen utilization states:two-page display (one page displayed on each of two display screens) toone-page display (one page displayed on one display screen). However,because the remaining performer subsystem (200-A; 200-B) continues todisplay data; thereby, maintaining the user's place within the datadisplayed, operational disruption during the transition is minimizedsufficiently so that the user's own performance is not compromised. Ifthe system detects that the communications between the PerformerSubsystems (200-A; 200-B) via communications channel (720) have beenauto-detected as not performing properly, as indicated by signal (713),and the interlinked system operation is converted to stand alone systemoperation by the subsystem detecting that the other subsystem in thelinked set has failed. In a preferred embodiment, an option is providedfor a user manual override of the auto-detect to provide for otheroperational options.

The system (725) provides for asynchronous or synchronous automaticdetection of communications failure via communications channel (720)connecting Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B), whereby the interlinkedsystem operation is converted to stand-alone system when communicationfailure occurs (Insert From 146). Where there are three or moreperformer subsystems a further option provides automated multi-screen(3+) linked mode (or a user manual override) of the aforementionedautomatic detection of communications failure and conversion to standalone mode. When the performer system (725) is comprised of more thantwo performer subsystems (200-A, 200-B, 200-N) and two or moresubsystems detect failure of one of the other Performer Subsystems (inthe automated fail-safe multi-screen (3+) linked mode), and theremaining subsystems operate in the pre-failure configuration mode inthe linked mode with the remaining linked subsystem. For example, if theperformer system (725) is comprised of four screens of performerssubsystem, and one screen subsystem fails, then the system (725) assumesa linked three-screen synchronous page turning mode. Similarly, if theperformer system (225) is comprised of three screens, and one screenfails, then the system (725) assumes a two-screen synchronous pageturning mode. Finally, if the performer system is comprised of twoscreens, and one screen fails, then the remaining system assumes astand-alone mode operation of a single performer subsystem.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, if the system detects that thecommunications between the Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B) viacommunications channel (720) have been auto-detected as not performingproperly, as indicated by signal (724), and the interlinked systemoperation is converted to stand alone system operation by the subsystemdetecting that the other subsystem has failed. In a preferredembodiment, an option is provided for a user manual override of theauto-detect to provide for other operational options.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the Electronic Music Performer System (300) iscomprised of a Computing Core (350), an optional battery backup (310)and other interfaces such as a MIDI interface (311), Buttons (312),indicator LED's (313) and a Wireless network card (314).

The Computing Core Subsystem (350) is shown as comprised of four maincomponents: Touch-screen (351), LCD Display (352), Power Supply (353)and Processor (360). The Display Adapter (365) couples the Processor(360) to the LCD Display (352). A Touch Adapter (366) couples the touchscreen (351) to the Processor (360). Providing support for the Processor(360) are the RAM (361), ROM (362), Hard Disk (363) and Flash Disk(364). Interfacing outside the Computing Core (350) is accomplished bycoupling to selected ones of a number of commercially availablecomponents including Sound Card (370), RS-232 Adapter (371), USBInterface (372), Printer Port (373), Ethernet Adapter (374), PC CardAdapter (375) and Keyboard Adapter (376).

The Computing Core (360) as illustrated, is commercially available(loaded with Windows 98, XP, 2000 or NT, UNIX, LINUX, WinCE) operatingsystem software (utilizing a Transmeta microprocessor) from AdvantecheAutomation, a Taiwanese company having a principal place of business inCincinnati, Ohio, as Product No. TPC-1560T. Numerous other touch screencomputers are available from Advantech, Fujitsu, Acer, and others.

FIG. 8 illustrates the functional and logical interaction of the layersof the software logic architecture of the systems and relative to thephysical hardware architecture of the systems of FIGS. 1-7.

Where there are a plurality of the performer subsystems, and wherein atleast two of the Performer subsystems are coupled to selectively providea linked set operable via a linked mode as a single cooperativeappliance unit, and they are each alternately capable of being operatedin the stand-alone mode as two separate appliances. Communicationsmanagement provides for internal communications between each of thePerformer subsystems in the interlinked set that is distinguishable andmutually exclusive from external communications with the other ones (notmembers of the linked set) of the Performer subsystems.

A Performer Linked System appliance consists of two or moreoperationally independent Performer appliance Subsystems combined to beone integrated appliance system, to provide multiple screens of displaysof the music. Thus, a Performer Subsystem may operate in a stand-alonemode; yet, the same appliance becomes a Performer linked system whenoperating in the linked mode. The Performer Subsystems must communicatewith each other to operate as one integrated system. The communicationschannel may be comprised of, but is not limited to one of the following:universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet, IEEE 802.11 wireless, RS-232,RS-242, serial communications, parallel communications, and Firewire.The communications link between systems is established and thereafterprovides data to each Performer Subsystem to provide an integratedsystem to the musician. Each Performer Subsystem monitors its associatedcommunications channel and detects whether or not the other linkedPerformer Subsystems are actively communicating with it. If a PerformerSubsystem in a linked set detects that any of the linked subsystems arenot active, the remaining Performer Subsystems initiate the creation ofa new Performer System with fewer Performer Subsystems. The PerformerSystem automatically configures itself to optimally display the musicbased upon the total number of linked Performer Subsystems. ThePerformer Subsystem changes from the linked mode to the stand-alone moderesponsive to the aforementioned monitoring and evaluation of associatedcommunications channels (or upon user selection of Stand alone mode).For example, if a Performer System linked set includes three or morelinked Performer Subsystems, and one Performer Subsystem losescommunication and is no longer active, then the remaining two PerformerSubsystems thereafter during operation in the linked set remain in thelinked mode.

In accordance with the present invention, user interface is designed tobe musician intuitive. For example, upon power-up, the system goes toeither a homepage or a defined start page. From the homepage, the usercan select, among their features, musical selection management, and anoptions screen displays. The example that follows illustrates anindividual stand alone Performer Subsystem being activated as part of alinked set Performer System. Initially, a soft (display) button (an areaon the touch screen display) on the options screen display is pushed bythe user to select to combine this appliance (performer subsystem) withits designated other partner appliance. If successfully found thisappliance becomes the left screen of the combined linked set display andthe other partner appliance becomes the right screen. The soft buttondisplay description then changes to match the display. If the userpresses the stand-alone mode or stand-alone button when the linked setis combined it causes the appliances to become stand-alone independentappliances again.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the Appliance State (1008) layer logic iscoupled to the Appliance Options logic (1006) of the Presentation Layerlogic (1005) and to the Message Handler logic (1022) of the NetworkLayer logic (1015). The Appliance State logic (1008) stores the currentstate of the appliance for reference and startup. The current page,orientation, all application options, network options and librarianoptions are saved. Depending on the Application options settings (1006),this state is fully or partially restored at the startup of theappliance.

In a preferred embodiment, communications among the Performer Systemsprovide for peer-to-peer communication. All Performer Systems (singlescreen or multiple screen linked set embodiments) provide forinter-performer system communication. Thus, the conductor's multiplescreen performer system can communicate with librarian's performersystem, as well as with individual musician's Performer Systems.Preferably, communications between the electronic music stand PerformerSystems appliances is hierarchical—levels of priority and clearance aredesignated for communications. For example, the conductor and librarianmay be assigned the highest priority level. The principal chairs foreach of the sections in an orchestra may be assigned a lower level ofpriority than that of the conductor and librarian. In turn, individualperformers within the sections may be assigned the lowest level ofpriority. Control over communications with other systems is directlyproportional to priority—higher levels of priority provide greatercontrol over communications; lower levels of priority provide lesscontrol over communications. Thus, the librarian or conductor can forcecommunications of information to lower levels, but not vice-versa. Thus,all changes made by the principal violin or viola player can berespectively communicated to all violins or violas, withoutcommunicating also to cellos, basses, etc. Sub-groupings and virtualprivate networks are set-up within the larger communications networkarchitecture of any particular system. For example, a recording studioenvironment includes a recording engineer, a conductor and players,and/or a conductor, principal chairs and librarians. Hierarchies andgroupings of players are respectively determined within the largernetwork. The hierarchical communications can be directly addressablebetween the electronic music stands; broadcast to all music stands;communicated to groupings of music stands identified within groupingssuch as private networks; and/or organized with various prioritiesassigned to master levels and sublevels as necessary.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of an LCD display used for inputcontrol and for displaying the information from the processor andmemory. In the preferred embodiment, a touch sensitive LCD screen (990)provides the input apparatus for the user interface, and the performersubsystem enables the functions associated with each displayed button(e.g. 991; 992; 993; 994; 995; 996; 997; 998; 999) to various locationsas appropriate and permits the functions to be changed, and also for thedisplayed buttons to be moved around the screen, depending on thefunction to be activated. The musical score may be edited by theconductor, either by directly drawing via the touch screen, or such asby touching the individual note after which he is presented with anumber of notes to replace the touched note. For example, the lowerportion of the screen displays instruments from which the conductor canselect which instrument will be playing the composition. After a buttonon this screen has been touched, a number of sub-screens may come up,each with their own individual touch sensitive areas and functions to beactivated by those areas. Alternatively, in addition to or instead ofthe touch screen, the system can provide input via separate keyswitches, voice recognition, etc.

In one embodiment, an output is provided that permits coupling of anexternal display, such as a color monitor, projection unit, or otherdisplay presentation system including one or more of audio, visual, andaudiovisual.

In an alternate additional embodiment, each stand-alone workstationprovides the capability to function as a master stand-alone, or a masteror slave workstation within a workstation set including multiplestand-alone workstations, wherein one is designated master and the restare designated slaves. The slave workstations in this configurationreceive communication of music compositions to be displayed from themaster workstation, thereby permitting one shared music database to becommunicated among all workstations which are a part of the group. It isto be appreciated that the shared music database function can bedistributed in many different ways among the workstations, or separablefrom and independent from the workstations. The choice is simply one ofdesign, and the illustration herein should not be taken in a limitingmanner.

The display workstation can be implemented as a totally self-containedworkstation, where each workstation contains its own processingsub-system, communications interface (such as wireless or cable) fornetwork use, input/output interface including one or more of a userinput keypad, a speaker, a microphone, joysticks, push buttons, etc.Each of the stand-alone workstations can then operate with a localdatabase, or couple to a shared music database as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In one wireless embodiment, an RF antenna can be built into the stand(101; 103). Alternatively, instead of using RF, the performer's standscan be linked to one another using infrared, fiber optic cable, shieldedcable, or other data transmission technologies. As discussed above, thecommunications link can be bi-directional, such as to facilitaterequests and responses to facilitate the feedback of performanceparameters or such that any workstation can be a master or slave, orused in combinations.

Communications interfaces of various types are well known andcommercially available, and at the present time, they are available forpurchase at the chip, board, or system level from many U.S. andinternational suppliers. In fact, many presently available single chipmicrocomputers include built-in communications interface capabilities,wired and wireless, such as from Intel, AMD, Texas Instruments, Hitachi,etc.

The instrument output signal permits coupling of the instrument inputsignal, either directly fed through or as modified by the workstation,for output to the appropriate public address or amplification andpresentation system or separate analysis system. The workstations arecoupled either via wired or wireless communication to a processorsubsystem (280) that includes a processor, non-volatile memory,read/write memory and an interface to a non-volatile storage medium(582).

FIG. 10 illustrates an architecture of plurality of the electronic musicstand Performer Systems of FIGS. 1-9 (made up of various electronicmusic stand products (800 A-C )) connected by a communication channel(801). The network logic (803 A-C ) in each product self-configures tothe environment it finds itself in (such as using the availablecommunication channel (801) and finding other products to interactwith). The communication channel (801) can be implemented by any numberof means, including, but not limited to Wired Ethernet, serial, WirelessEthernet, Infrared, MIDI and USB.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a music library (120) is coupled to acommunications subsystem (125) that transmits the contents of requestedcompositions from the remote music library (120) via a radio frequencytransmitter to the processor (115) (in a wireless embodiment thecommunications subsystem uses the antenna (104)). A receiver couples thetransmitted signals to the processor (115). This embodiment enables themusic library (120) to be remote and located at a great distance fromthe requesting site. The antenna (102) at the receiver picks up thetransmitted signal. The communications subsystem (125) can be atransceiver for bi-directional communication, or a transmitter forone-way communication (such as where the requests are otherwisecommunicated to the music library subsystem (120), via wired or wirelessconnections).

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the workstations are remote units (901; 902; 903) usedby members of a marching band. Each of the remote units (901-903) isequipped with a respective receiver (910; 911; 912) that provide forreceipt of communications including receive music data representationsof musical selections or compositions transmitted to them. Remote unitscontrollers (920; 921; 922) control the operation of the respectiveremote units (901; 902; 903). The musical composition is displayed onthe remote unit's respective displays (930; 931; 932). The displays canbe low cost such as an LCD multiple line display providing low cost, lowpower usage, and high visibility/readability. Auto Advance Mode, whereinto compensate for limited display image. The Performer subsystemautomatically redefines the music data for adaptive display in slices(as discussed in detail elsewhere herein) to adjust for format, layoutand size; and the electronic music stand system provides an the displayautomatically scrolls as the music is performed.

Each remote unit (901; 902; 903) can be mounted on the instrument on orin place of the lyre. The remote unit's antenna (940; 941; 942) can beseparate from or built into the remote unit or the lyre. A transportablemain unit (950) is used to transmit musical compositions to remote units(901; 902; 903). The transportable main unit (950) is comprised of acontroller (906) for controlling the transportable main unit (950), amusic database storage medium (905) containing the data for the musicalcompositions to be played by the band, and a transmitter (904) fortransmitting (950) via antenna (943) the musical compositions to theremote units (901; 902; 903). This main unit can be in the form of asuitcase or briefcase size item. The main unit can also be providedbuilt into a van that is driven around with the band or as a smallself-contained portable unit. In accordance with this embodiment, theband can play a virtually unlimited number of musical compositionswithout the problem of carrying the music with them in paper form. Italso relieves the band members of the problems of changing music andchanging pages while marching. As discussed in the above embodiments, inthe performance mode, the musical score is automatically scrolled acrossthe screen display (931; 932; 933). Alternatively or additionally,individual switches can be provided to permit each performer toself-activate, each page turn, or one master (e.g. band leader) canactivate page turns for everyone. Additionally, a keyboard and/ormicrophone can be attached to the transportable main unit allowing theconductor to send messages to the camera remote units via displays (930;931; 932) or via a speaker associated with units (901; 902; 903). Thisallows the conductor to send instructions to the band (such as to take acertain route, or play at different volumes or speeds). Withbi-directional communications and user performance feedback, theconductor can also monitor for errors.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system andmethodology are provided for music display presentation andcommunication. Musical compositions can be input to the presentinvention from any one or more of multiple sources, such as frompre-stored score images, live microphone, direct input from musicalinstruments or vocal direct performances, imported from a musiccomposition program (such as Finale, Sibelius, Cakewalk, or Mosaic),other computer data files, MIDI files, a MIDI sequencer, scanning in ofexisting printed score images (as image data or as optically characterrecognized), cameras, visuals, etc. These inputs by the system are usedin the selective storage, composition, communication, and presentationof the musical system of the present invention. The system can generateadditional material automatically, or permit a user to modify,communicate, display and/or reproduce the musical compositions.

Existing forms of music notation can be converted manually, or can beconverted automatically by scanning in sheet music, using the image datadirectly for display, or recognizing (such as by using optical characterrecognition or object oriented coding) the various elements of themusic, and facets and specifics of the syntax in the form of notationincluding its constants and variables and protocols, and integrating viaan artificial intelligence type expert system that notates, highlights,and accentuates via synchronized metronoming of time signature to music.Any of a variety of other means of inputting and/or converting music canalso be used, such as direct input of musical performance signalsprocessed via software that converts it into musical notation. Suchsoftware is commercially available, such as from ARS NOVA, WildcatCanyon Software, Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., Make Music, Inc., GVOX,Sibelius, Inc. and Passport Designs, Inc.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, each electronicmusic stand system display workstation can also provide the ability toconvert performed musical compositions into notated musicalcompositions, generating the appropriate musical notation (e.g., staff,tablature, MIDI), notes, time signature, key, instrument, or user type,etc, and further provides export capability to save and export theelectronic music stand music data file into multiple formats, includingbut not limited to at least one of TIFF, BitMap, JPEG, Postscript, PDF,MIDI, proprietary composition formats for commercial software, and anoptimized custom electronic music stand format.

Some music is only available in notated forms, where there is not anexisting signal showing proper synchronization of the signals. Thus, acontroller subsystem (such as (280)) provides for real time conversionand analysis of syntax of the music notation, in conjunction with aprecision clock metronome, and provides an indicator (such as color orother highlighting or bolding or accentuating) of the relative timing ofthe performance relative to a place in the sheet music (or other form ofmusical notation). Alternatively, the user can set a tempo rate, and theelectronic music stand system automatically advances pages based on thetempo rate and a related page turn rate variable that utilizes the temporate. An emergency stop/override button permits overriding the automaticadvance mode.

Since the music notation is now in computer usable form, it is now aneasy task to communicate, display, compose, alter, and transpose music(such as in key, for types of instruments or voice parts, and harmonies)via well-known techniques.

Native data files from Finale, Sibelius, and other music editing orcomposition programs can be saved and output in one of the above formatsto be converted to one of the formats compatible with the electronicmusic stand, or used in native file format if compatible with theelectronic music stand appliance formats.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, conversion Services logic (1007) providesconversion of music data from external sources and vice versa to andfrom the format required for the recipient. These services convert themusic data from the best available source, optimally for the currentneed. This conversion can be optimized for speed or quality. Availableconversions include: resize images, rotate images, sharpen images,format changes (e.g., such as between or to TIFF, JPG, BMP, EPS, PS(Postscript), Adobe PDF, etc.) and color/BW (black and white). Referringto FIG. 7A, in conjunction with FIG. 8, a performer subsystem (700) isillustrated comprising a processing subsystem comprising a processor(701), coupled via coupling (702) to data storage apparatus (705), andto a communications interface (710) coupled via coupling (704) providingfor an external communications interface coupling (711). Session monitorlogic (722), coupled via coupling (723), determines whether thecommunication interface (710) has an active communication session withanother Performer Subsystem (200). The state of the communicationsession active or inactive is coupled to processor (701) via coupling(724). The processor is also coupled via coupling (703) to atouch-screen input display (715). Logic within the performer subsystemprovides for “librarian logic” (see (1003; 1010) of FIG. 8) of managingstorage, retrieval and indexing of the music data in the data storageapparatus (705); “performance logic” ((1005) of FIG. 8) defining dataformatting and display responsive to the touch-screen input display andthe librarian logic; and “network management logic” ((1015) of FIG. 8)providing management of communication via the communications interface(710) with an external apparatus responsive to the “performance logic”and the “librarian logic.” In a preferred embodiment, program data (706)is stored in the data storage apparatus (705). The librarian logic(1010), the presentation and performance logic (1005), and the networkmanagement logic (1015) are provided by the processor responsive to theprogram data (706) stored in the data storage apparatus for managingdata formatting, displaying music, and managing communications of datawith the external apparatus. The Performer Subsystem (200) can beimplemented utilizing commercially available all-in-one touch-screentablet computing systems (e.g., such as those available from Advantec,Ltd. (U.S., Taiwan), Acer (U.S., Taiwan), Sony (U.S., Japan), FujitsuComputers (U.S., Japan) and Gateway Computers (U.S.)).

FIG. 12 illustrates the overall operation by one embodiment of the musiccomposition communication workstation. It begins by starting up thesystem (1200). The system then provides a menu (1201) that allows theuser to select a listing of available music compositions. The user thenselects one or more compositions (1210). If the user selects one fromthe menu that is locally stored, it directly retrieves the information.Alternatively, if it's not something locally stored, the system couples(e.g. will dial up or go through a database or network) to a remotestorage site and requests and receives the selected compositions. Anychanges that are desired to the composition can be selected at the nextlogic block (1215). If there are changes (such as to the key, or noteediting, or selection of form of display or instruments), then those canbe accomplished as illustrated at blocks (1255) change key; (1260)select new key; (1265) transpose; (1270) edit; (1275) conform to edit;(1280) select instrument(s); (1285) generate additional scores forselected instruments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a functional/logical block diagram for oneembodiment of the present invention, illustrating both structure andstate flow for start up and operation of the electronic music standperformer system in one embodiment. At initialization of the system(step 601), the program data in the data storage apparatus is executedby the processor to go through system start up, loading of theelectronic music stand system's operating system, set up of parameters,and loading of the electronic music stand appliance application programand data. Upon completion of the set-up (step 605), receipt ofcommunications (step 606) is provided via the communications interface(step 616) such as via external USB coupling (step 616), externalEthernet coupling (step 617), external serial coupling (step 618)wireless communications coupling (step 619), or other coupling via thecommunications interface.

Referring again to FIG. 7B, two Performer Subsystems (200-A; 200-B) areshown illustrating the bi-directional communications (220) between thetwo Performer Subsystems. Responsive to the set up parameters,communications input from the communications interface (step 615), andexternal user input (step 609) from the user interface, and from the setup (step 605), the Performer system proceeds through set up modes andfrom there to selection of processing modes (steps 655; 660; 665; 670)as discussed hereinafter. Alternatively, the set up screen mode canselect to go to the home screen mode (step 610) which then operates asdescribed hereinafter.

Upon completion of system set up, the user interface process isimplemented (step 610), which provides a home page display, and whichlooks for an external user input (step 609) such as an input providedthrough the touch input screen display (or such as via a writing tabletor mouse or footswitch). The system defaults to initial start state ifno external user input is provided, such as displaying the first page ofa defined music selection, or providing a home page display withoptions. Decision logic responds to the external user input selection tofurther determine an operation mode (step 660). Responsive to theselection (step 660), this system either enters the Options Mode (step670), the Music Mode (step 680), the Librarian (Music Selection) mode,or the Shut Down Mode (step 650). From the Music Display Mode (step680), the system operation proceeds to one of edit mode (step 620),Navigation Mode (step 630) or Performance Mode (step 640). The edit mode(step 620) (or Draw Mode) permits for the user to provide edits to theimage data being displayed, and to save various levels of revisions.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a shut down (step 635) can be selected by theuser via the external user input (step 609), which causes the performersystem processing subsystem to implement a shut down procedure to shutdown the electronics and computing technology and shut off the Performersystem.

Further options can be selected such as determining how the applianceshuts down, prompting for saving changes (e.g. on time cycles, onevents, per user selection, or automatically saved), page-turntransition options, contrast/brightness selection and/or remote control,appliance Identification, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the Network (1015) Discovery andIdentification logic (1020) allows the appliance to identify itself onthe network and discover other users and appliances on the network. Theappliance, at a regular interval attempts to make itself known on any ofits available networks. This is done so as not to interfere either withthe network itself or significantly affect the operation of theappliance.

Once the appliance has successfully identified itself on the network, itproceeds to discover the other Electronic Music Performer System andsubsystem appliances on the network.

In a pure peer-to-peer scenario, the appliance has stored informationregarding the passwords, groups and other information relating to theuser and what other users and appliances will have access to resourceson this appliance. This option is more suited for smaller and/or lesspermanent situations.

Alternatively, the authentication is done in conjunction with a centralserver that contains information about multiple users and theirpasswords, groups and other related information. This information canthen be managed by a common administrator and the user is not restrictedto use a particular appliance. This option is optimal for use by largergroups such as orchestras. The central server can also provide a centralrepository of music data, and a database for revisions.

The Performer Systems and subsystems can operate in two networked modes:peer-to-peer and central server. In the peer-to-peer mode, eachPerformer System or subsystem defines the authorizations that it willallow and must define which groups of Performer Systems with which itwill communicate. In the server-managed mode, the central server definesthe Performer System's and subsystems authorizations. The central serverconfiguration allows a user to move from one physical system to anotherand retain set-up preferences, while the peer-to-peer configurationrestricts the user to the set-up preferences selected on each individualsystem. The central server configuration requires that all users ofPerformer Systems and subsystems be registered and managed by a commonnetwork administrator. The peer-to-peer configuration allows each userdefine his own set-up preferences without a centralized server oradministrator privileges. However, the user may copy, save, import andexport user preferences, regardless of network configuration.

Referring to FIG. 14, an alternate embodiment of the present inventionis provided where one or more workstations (105) include, at a minimum,a display of the music notation. These workstations are coupled to amaster music communications controller (415) that provides for aseparate user input (411) which provides input interface, such as to aMIDI stream, computer data links (such as RS232, modem data link) etc.,that designate requested musical compositions, transformations, anddisplay requests for various ones of the coupled workstations.

The multiple connected workstations can operate as stand aloneworkstations using their local intelligence for displaying downloaded orresident music compositions. They can also interact in a master/slavelinked environment, where one of the master workstations ((300) of FIG.3) asserts a master status, and all other inter-connected workstations,whether workstations (105) or master/slave workstations (300) operate ina slave mode coupled to the designated master. Additionally, masters cancommunicate between each other for a master/master networkconfiguration.

The advantages of electronic music composition, orchestration,communication and display are many. In addition to those discussedelsewhere herein, a capability exists for expert system based artificialintelligence type assistance, where the expert system assists in many ofthe functions performed in musical composition and performance. Forexample, in the Auto-Compose Mode, if the words need to be changed tomatch the meter, equivalent terms can be chosen from the many sourcessuch as a thesaurus, dictionaries, rhyming dictionaries, encyclopedias,etc., to assist as well. Phrases from poetry, selected and indexed bycontent or topic can be re-expressed to create new works. Drum andrhythm section accompaniment can be expertly suggested, as well asharmonies, melody lines to accompany chords, chord progressions toaccompany melodies, harmonies to accompany a melody, and suggestedmusical instrument groupings to support a particular sound, rhythm,style, tonal quality, etc.

The system can be designed to take advantage of expert system designknowledge. A database of rules and facts are provided, and additions andmodifications are accumulated over time by the system in a self-learnmode. The expert system itself has the necessary logic to probe theuser, monitor the performance, and apply the rules to provide feedbackand reports to the user of skill level, errors, automated performancedisplay, etc., starting with a base defined set of rules, instructions,and a knowledge database specific to music.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 14, the workstations (105) access themusic database storage means (420) that provides the data for therequested music composition via the master controller (415). The mastercontroller (415) displays both the requested music composition as wellas user interface communication for the music communication system to bedisplayed on either a dedicated display (416) or on one of theworkstations (105) as designated by the master controller (415). Themusic database (420) can either be local, or can be via a data link(e.g., phone line, RF, cable, satellite, otherwise).

Referring again to FIG. 8, the Network Communication Protocols layerlogic (1002) manages the various network and communication protocols andphysical and logical interfaces used to communicate between appliances.The selection of network, both physical and protocol, is made astransparent to the user, and as self-configuring, as possible.

Referring still to FIG. 8, a user (1001) provides a user input via thetouch screen (1051) which provides a signal to the Display InterfaceLogic (1009) presentation layer of logic (1005), which processes thesignal appropriately. Graphical User Interface (GUI) logic andrespective processing logic are provided for user interface(touch-screen (1051) and Display (1052) with the Network (1015) andLibrarian (1010) layer logic.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the illustrated fundamental Electronic MusicPerformer System logic software architecture consists of three layers,Presentation (1005), Librarian (1010) and Network (1015). ThePresentation Layer (1005) provides control logic and user interface forall the direct interaction with the user. This layer is the mostaffected by operating system changes and hardware characteristics suchas screen size. The Librarian Layer logic (1010) provides the managementof information within the Performer system including, but not limited tothe selection of the music, notations on the music, user information andproduct state. This layer can also manage any necessary copyright orrights management. The Network Layer logic (1015) provides thecommunication between various system products. In a preferredembodiment, the communication is mostly self-configuring and providesfor a hierarchical and direct communication scheme.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the Groups and Authorization layer logic(1021) manages the group assignments of individual appliances to a groupand necessary authorizations. Once the appliance has progressed throughthe discovery and identification (1020) steps, it needs to determine itsgroups and authorizations (1021). The first step authorizes the user.The user identifies himself through the Network GUI (1002) with a nameand password. The password is preferably authenticated.

Many methods and protocols are utilized in accordance with the presentinvention for implementing user interface to make the electronic musicstand user-friendly and comport to protocols and conventions of sheetmusic to ease the transition in use by musicians. For example, there arethe protocols for implementing page turns, e.g., by touching the rightscreen (or right side of a single screen system) to go forward andtouching the left screen (or left side of a single screen system) to gobackwards, implementing footswitches to eliminate the need for use ofhands, to turn pages of the music, and positioning of selection softbuttons on the space screen.

When in the navigation mode, the display of the music data operates in asimilar manner to the Music Display mode, except that the actual musicdisplay is physically smaller to accommodate leaving space for displayof the buttons, and permits drawing, other editing, and networking.

The Network GUI (1002) layer logic provides user interaction with theNetwork layer logic (1015) for the network operations.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the music workstation stands can either beidentical or broken down into conductor stands and performer stands. Aconductor stand (105CON) usually has more functions and control than aperformer stand (105PER). A performer stand (105PER) can range incapability, from only having the ability to receive and display musicalscores, to full featured such as the conductor stand (105CON) that hasthe ability to select the musical score, change the key of the musicalcomposition, and perform other tasks that usually a conductor orlibrarian would be permitted or required to do.

In one embodiment, the master workstation (300) has complete controlover the slave workstation (105). Anything displayed on the masterworkstation is also displayed (at the master's selection) on the slaveworkstation. It is also possible for the user to select or mask certainportions of the display of the master workstation before it is displayedon the slave workstation. In this manner, the conductor, using themaster workstation, can select and transmit to the slave workstationsonly that information that is required by the orchestra members.

The conductor and performance mode operations can also be combined. Theworkstation can also be enhanced to provide training and comparison of auser's performance to the displayed actual music. Any communicationschannel used between (e.g. intra-communication in a linked set)Performer Subsystems can be used to communicate between PerformerSystems (inter-communication). The communication can be used to transfermusic notation, go to a bookmark, transfer drawing, send data files, orsend general messages between Performer Systems. A network graphicaluser interface (GUI) (see (1002) of FIG. 8) conveys user input to allowfor the set-up and management of the communications with other PerformerSubsystems. The network GUI provides for defining the network,specifying user names, specifying appliance names, and sending messagesto other Performer Systems on the network. Each Performer Systembroadcasts its identity to all Performer Systems on the network. APerformer System on the network listens for new Performer Systems andadds the new systems to its known list of systems available on thenetwork. A Performer System on the network can send messages to andreceive messages from other Performer Systems. These messages cancontain music data, control data, permissions, text messages, images,etc.

As an example, if the conductor touches the transmit key on the mainscreen, he will be presented with a screen showing all of theinstruments that he has selected for that piece and a button labeled“ALL”. He may now transit to any one (or group of) individual musicstand or by touching the “ALL” button area, transmit to the entireorchestra.

In the performance monitor mode, for a single user or multiple users,the user (or a remote teacher or conductor) can indicate the rate atwhich he feels the performer should be performing or the system canoperate at a default rate, or the music data can set the rate, or thesystem can set the rate based upon the user's initial performance. Amicrophone input or live input on the music workstation samples theuser's actual performance and permits providing a graphical display(e.g. mapping) (for the user or teacher/conductor) showing the relativesynchronization of the performer's actual performance versus theconductor's desired performance.

With use of appropriate sound baffling, a plurality of instruments cansimultaneously be monitored and controlled by the conductor (orteacher), so long as each instrument's output sound pattern iscommunicated directly to a respective workstation. The output of each ofthe workstations can then be coupled to the conductor's (or teacher's)master workstation for further analysis and processing.

The user's performance can be compared to the score, and feedback can beprovided to the performer and/or teacher or conductor as to the qualityof their performance.

In an alternate embodiment, the slave workstation communicatesperformance parameters or deviation signals to the master workstation,for error analysis feedback.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the Message Handler layer logic (1022)manages the messages sent to and from other appliances. For variousreasons, an appliance may want to send information to other appliances.The message handler will set up a session between the appliances andsend one or more messages. When communications of messages is done, thesession is closed. Both appliances are able to close the session and theother is able to detect the closing of the session. The session can alsobe closed by the failure of the network, which in a preferred embodimentis detectable by both appliances.

Preferably, the communications of changes made by the conductor areprovided to facilitate process flow in the same manner as when papersheet music is utilized. Thus, when a conductor makes a change, theperformer system used by the conductor communicates the image data forthe screen image representing the conductor's change, which iscommunicated to the appropriate principal such as the concert master, orprincipal cello, etc. In one embodiment, the concert master sees thescreen image for the conductor's change as a picture in picture on theconcert master's local performer system display, and is able tosynchronize the local display to the same appropriate page correspondingto the change made by the conductor, and make the actual change on themusical part for the violin corresponding to the change the conductormade in the score. Then, the principal or concert master (asappropriate) makes the changes manually and edits locally on hisrespective performer system. Changes by the concert master arecommunicated as image data to the performer system music stands in theprivate network associated with the principal or concert master. Thechanges can be either automatically implemented as an overlay onto theindividual performer system's music stands within the private network,or they can be displayed and flashed on the appropriate area of theindividual musician's music stand to permit the local user of thatperformer music stand to accept the changes and implement them onto theuser's music stand. Alternatively, software logic can be provided in theconductor's or the librarian's system to permit changes made by theconductor or librarian to automatically be converted from score toindividual parts and thereafter be communicated to the individualstands. As a third alternative, the conductor's changes can be forwardedto the librarian, who can then implement communicating changes to theindividual parts.

Revisions made on one performer system can be communicated as directoverlays to be displayed on selected ones of the other PerformerSystems—shown as an overlay atop the image data otherwise displayed onperformer system to which the revisions are communicated. Alternatively,a picture-in-picture image of the revised section may be communicated,permitting the receiving Performer Systems user to determine whether ornot to make the change. The original, and all revision layers arepreferably saved and accessible via the Music Selection Librarian logic.As previously discussed, communications can be via wired or wirelessmedium, and can include other Electronic Music Performer Systems as wellas other general computing systems utilizing appropriate interfacesoftware.

The sessions can be set up in a one to many (broadcast) and/or one toone (direct) relationship, and/or multicast. Due to the nature of thesessions, some may exist only to send a single message and others tosend multiple messages. The session is one-way, e.g., data istransferred in one direction except for a simple acknowledgement thatthe transfer was accepted, failed or was rejected. Bi-directionalinformation flow requires at least two sessions.

An appliance has the right to reject a message for any reason and thesender appliance properly handles a rejected message. A message isrejected because (1) the appliance does not respond to a particularmessage, (2) the external user or appliance does not have the accessrights to send this message to this appliance with this user, or (3) theappliance is simply unable process messages or its too busy.

Messages contain some or all of the following information: sum check,message size, message version (to allow for future enhancements),sending appliance, sending user, receiving appliance, receiving user,message type, message payload size in bytes, message payload, etc.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the operation of the automated mode “A Mode”(1240) is illustrated. First, the user selection of the desiredautomatic mode is detected and responded to, illustrated as theauto-advance mode (1242), the training mode (1244), the performance mode(1246), or any one of a number of other modes (1248) as is described infurther detail hereinafter. For example, auto repeat mode can beselected by designating the start and stop points, and the number oftimes to repeat a “looped” portion (or portions) of the displayedmusical composition. Marching band mode (auto-advance based on metronomefunction, conductor control, etc), auto-compose mode, and many otherscan also be implemented. The order of selection of auto-advance,triggered mode, or performance mode is arbitrary, and the user canalternatively decide from a menu where all are simultaneously presentedas choices.

Referring to FIG. 15B, the automated mode “A Mode 2” (1244) operation ofFIG. 15A is illustrated corresponding to the training mode. In thismode, the system tracks the performance (1280) of the individual user tothe composition score, primarily for the purpose of permitting acritical analysis and comparison of the performance to the score (1282).This analysis determines divergence from the selected musical score, andreveals errors or deviations from desired performance goals (e.g. matchof timing of notes, duration of notes, pitch of notes, etc.), and todisplay those errors (1284) (such as by audio or video means).Predefined performance goals provide the knowledge basis for expertsystem based analysis.

The system can then generate a graded score (1286) indicating errors,and can present it in numerous formats such as histograms, frequency oferrors, spacing of errors, etc. Identification of when the errors occur(e.g., only when going from slow to fast, or fast to slow), absoluteposition within the score and so forth, are also tracked and reported.Other expert system rules can be provided by music teachers which givethe necessary parameters for modeling expert system reasoning, as wellas guidance and suggestions on how to correct problems such as viadisplay text, graphics, audio, etc.

The comparison of the performance to the score in the training mode isfor the purpose of detecting the performer's compliance to parameters(such as the tempo, rhythm, filter, parameter, pitch, tonality, andother features that are adaptable or can be modified by performers).This parameter information is available and published in numerous forms.Thus, having provided this core set of parameters, the system canthereafter perform the training automated mode.

For all automated modes (e.g., A Modes 1, 2, 3, 4), training feedbackcan be provided real time or subsequent to performance at either or bothof the performer's workstation and a second (e.g., teacher's)workstation.

Each Performer System has a Librarian GUI that manages the musicnotation data on its local storage and on remotely accessed systems. TheLibrarian GUI provides an interface for the user to import music andother data to the Performer System. The music data or other data on anexternal storage device may be provided from a removable storage device,e.g., a USB RAM disk, removable media (i.e., a CD-ROM), or via a networkcommunications channel from another Performer System or file server.Music data contained within an external storage device may be importedto the Performer System which thereafter performs the necessaryprocessing or manipulations of the data optimizing the music data fordisplay in the Performer System.

The Librarian logic portion of the Performer System maintains anappliance state to retain user selections and preferences after theappliance is turned-off.

The librarian function provides for coupling of data communications(through the communications interface) of music data and other data forstorage in the data storage apparatus of the performer subsystem, andmay be accomplished via physically different communications channels, orvia a single common channel. As illustrated in FIG. 7C, the managementfunctions of the communications between the multiple Performer Systems(e.g., (100; 200; 300; 400) can be managed by centralized controller(730) or distributed among a plurality of the Performer Systems. Anynumber of Performer Subsystems can be combined to form one PerformerSystem (740). The centralized controller (730) can be implemented with aperformer system or by a separate computing system.

In a preferred embodiment, the Librarian function of the PerformerSystem receives music notation data in objects (as well as in image datafiles). The objects can be as small as a single note or staff line. Theobjects can be standardized (such as MIDI, Finale files, Sibelius files,Mosaic files). The objects can also be custom, such as from aSynthesizer, a computer, or proprietary objects created and output fromthe Performer System. The Librarian function can provide the exactamount of information to fit on the display as needed. However,depending upon the file format, the provided music data object may notentirely fit on the display, so only a portion of the page is displayed.The Librarian GUI provides a method to divide pages into smallersections—allowing horizontal and vertical slices. The sections arelogically and sequentially ordered from top to bottom and then left toright. Thus, the leftmost section of the top slice is the first logicalsection proceeding to the rightmost section of the top slice and thenultimately to the rightmost section of the bottom slice.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the Librarian GUI (1003) layer logic providescontrol of user interaction with the Librarian layer logic (1010) forthe librarian operations. This GUI (1003) provides the user withcontrolled interaction with the Music Storage logic (1004) in theLibrarian Layer (1010). Any data format conversions can be automaticallyhandled by the Music Storage logic module (1004), which automaticallycalls the Conversion Services logic (1007) as needed.

The Librarian Layer logic (1010) is comprised of Appliance State logic(1008), the Music Storage logic (1004) and Conversion Services logic(1007).

The music data describing the music notations can be stored on thePerformer System displaying the data, or it can be obtained from anexternal source, such as an external server, external storage, oranother Performer System that may or may not be shared with other onesof the Performer Systems. Each Performer System provides the control toretrieve, process and display the music data. Each Performer System cancontrol none, one or more displays. When no display is connected, thenthat Performer System is used to share information and/or provide acontroller for use with other Performer Systems.

The Music Storage layer logic (1004) controls the storage of the musicdata operations on the current resident appliance and coordinatesthrough the network layer (1015) with other Performer System appliancesand any coupled servers on the storage of music data.

A list of available music scores stored in the music storage can beselectively activated for display as bookmarks. The electronic musicstand appliance can store more scores than are actively used anddisplayed. The Librarian logic (music selection logic) provides forordering, importing, exporting, and setting active/inactive status foreach musical composition. This reduces the clutter of displayingbookmarks and in locating a particular page of stored music, such aswhen the appliance is being used in rehearsal or performance. When ascore is activated, there may be a need for a conversion process in theconversion services module (1007) if a different orientation or size fordisplay of the music is selected or required. This conversion varies inlength of time required, and takes longer times for long scores. Once aconversion is completed it is stored in the appliance and it doesn'tneed to be converted again. However, the storage of these conversionsconsumes storage space in the Music Storage of the appliance. Therefore,depending on storage capacity and user needs, unneeded configurationscan be deleted (1004) to save space, or exported for archival, and thendeleted.

The music storage layer logic (1004) provides the user the ability todelete the selected portions of music from the appliance's main musicstorage. It can also export and import music into music storage spaces.These spaces can be found on the Electronic Music Performer Systemappliance or network, or by physically attaching a removable storagemedia (e.g. Flash RAM, floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM) to the appliance.In certain embodiments, the current appliance additionally needs to havethe permission to read or write information into that space.

Referring again to FIG. 7A, in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention, image data from the Data Storage Apparatus (705) is providedto the Performer Subsystem for utilization by the processor (701) togenerate a display on the touch-screen display (715), formatted andpresented as a human recognizable display of the music data. The imagedata is not limited to music data, and can be applied to other sorts ofvisual data being utilized for other applications by the PerformerSystem, including scripts, video imagery (such as how to play (ala theSuzuki method, or a teacher illustrating a role model)), or for use by astage hand or lighting technician, or sound engineers, or recordingstudio related information, text announcements, etc.). Depending on thesource of the music image data, the performer subsystem selectivelyprovides signal processing of the music image data responsive to theData Storage Apparatus (705), to improve the readability of thedisplayed images, as well as providing for formatting of the image datato the appropriate screen resolution and size of the display of theperformer system. Any of a plurality of image processing algorithms canbe utilized as set forth in Digital Signal Processing (Stanley, WilliamD. Digital Signal Processing. Reston: Reston Publishing, 1975.) andPrograms for Digital Signal Processing (—Programs for Digital SignalProcessing. Ed. W. R. Crone. New York: IEEE, 1979.)

Additionally, the Performer Subsystem (200) provides for caching andbuffering of the music data, and where appropriate, the signalprocessing of the image data, and provides for memory mapping controland management, to utilize the music data stored in the data storageapparatus (705) of the Performer Subsystem (200) to provide to the usereffective real time display, advancement and page change of the music.The caching and buffering eliminates the delays that would be incurredin going to and from slower large storage such as hard disk or Flash RAMor CD-ROM, to higher speed RAM, by pre-loading a portion (the cache) ofthe higher speed memory (e.g., RAM) in accordance with defined cachemanagement for use by the processor in the performer subsystem (200). Ina preferred embodiment, each performer system would save an image of themusic page in the short-term cache (e.g., high speed RAM) of the DataStorage Apparatus (705) shown in FIG. 7A. The processor (701) calculatesthe next most likely pages that the user may request to display. Theprocessor then reads the music page information in the long-term area,typically a hard drive or flash ROM, of the Data Storage Apparatus (705)and transfers it to the short-term cache performing any transformationsof the data to prepare it for subsequent display. When the user requestsa new page to be displayed, the page advance/turn process is increasedin speed since the information has already been preloaded.

The Presentation GUI ((1005) of FIG. 8) displaying the music dataevaluates the music data to find the largest logical section, after theuser has defined the slices and logical ordering as previouslydescribed. The largest logical section defines the scale for theremaining logical sections to be displayed. Therefore, page-size andpagination of the musical score is pre-defined by the user's selectionof section slices and logical ordering. So, while the system appears tobe advancing or returning pages, it is actually advancing the musicalscore by the user-defined number of image slices and logical ordering.

In a preferred embodiment, the providing for the display of the music isfurther comprised of: providing for the selective variation of size andorientation; defining a display width and display height for the displayto be used for display of the music; selecting from the logical sectionsto determine a best fit to the display width and the display heightresponsive to the mapping and storing; and displaying the selected onesof the logical sections on a video display to provide a best fitresponsive to the selecting. As illustrated herein, the display widthequals a maximum width for the display and the display height equals amaximum height for the display, where both the display width and displayheight maximum width and maximum height are positive integers.

The default ordering of the sections of music is defined by the sourceof the music. For scanned music, this is the pages of music. For musicfrom an editing program, this could be the sequence of measures in thescore or even the individual notes. As defined above, the user couldsubdivide these into sections which are then displayed on the screen.However, music can have various types of repeats, codas and other jumpsin the music so it is not always performed in a strictly linearsequence. Thus the sections can be logically ordered and displayed inthat order rather than default physical order. This allows the musicianto always “page forward” during a performance. This is especially usefulwhen the jump would require more than one or two page jumps.

The order of slicing and creating sections is optimized for traditionalmusic notation. However, if displayed data, i.e., lyrics only, is in alanguage that is traditionally ordered and read in a differentdirection, then the order of slicing and logical ordering will bechanged to be accommodate that layout for data display.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, in accordance with one aspect of theinvention, a methodology and system is provided for processingstructuring music image data and bookmarks and text related torespective bookmark, as described hereafter. First, the music image datais analyzed (step 1110) and parameters are set defining the music imagedata into defined pages (step 1120). Preferably, each page relates to agiven display resolution and size. Next, the system defines first slicesof the music image data for the first orientation (step 1130), such asvertical. Next, the system defines second slices of each of the firstslices (step 1140) to define logical sections ordering the slices frombeginning to end (step 1150). In a preferred embodiment, the secondorientation is horizontal. Thus, the system orders the first slices frombeginning (top or vertical) to end (bottom or vertical). And finally,the system orders the second slices from beginning (left side forhorizontal) to end (right side for horizontal). In an alternateembodiment, the first and second orientations are flipped, and themethodology and system still apply.

Having now defined the slices, the system next defines the display widthand height (step 1160). Based upon this, the system provides forselecting from the logical sections to determine a best fit to thedisplay width and the display height (step 1170). Finally, based on theprocessing to determine the best fit responsive to the selecting, theselected ones of the logical sections are displayed on a video display(step 1180).

In a first embodiment, the first orientation equals vertical, and thesecond orientation equals horizontal, where the beginning equals top forvertical, where the end equals bottom for vertical, where the beginningequals left side for horizontal, and where the end equals the right sidefor horizontal. In an alternative embodiment, the top versus bottom,horizontal versus vertical, and right versus left orientations arereversed.

The method continues with ordering the first slices from beginning toend; ordering the second slices from beginning to end; mapping andstoring the first slices, the second slices, the logical sections, andthe ordering of the first slices and of the second slices; and providingfor the display of the music responsive to the mapping and the storing.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the video/visualdisplay of the music data is automatically sized by the system to fitthe size and resolution of the display apparatus, or in a linked set ofthe plurality of display apparatus cooperatively working in the linkedmode.

The system can automatically paginate the music data for a selectedcomposition, such as based upon embedded pagination or bar/measure countdata, or in accordance with a defined criteria logic for pagination.Alternatively, a user of the system can manually or semi-automaticallyselect pagination (or define the selection criteria therefor). The bestfit, auto-sizing is provided (by the system of the present invention) inaccordance with defined music auto-sizing logic and methodology.

In one embodiment, a method for providing an auto-sizing display ofmusic from a music database is comprised of first defining a page ofmusic image data from the music database; then defining first slices ofthe music image data for a first orientation; and then defining in asecond orientation second slices of the first slices to define logicalsections.

An alternative method for providing for video display of music stored amusic database in described in FIG. 23. After pages have been loaded inthe database they are prepared for display (2300). The pages are orderedin processing block (2301) so as to be in logical page order incorrespondence to their page numbers or some other ordering as desired.Processing block (2302) gets the first page. If found, the processingblock (2303) defines the 1^(st) slices. Typically this is done bycreating horizontal slices as shown in FIG. 24. The page (2401) isdivided into three 1^(st) slices (2410; 2420; 2430). Any number of1^(st) slices can be defined. The processing block (2303) may performthis function by obtaining user input to describe the break pointsbetween the 1^(st) slices, obtain previously stored informationassociated with the current page or automatically find horizontal lineswhich cross blank portions of the page. Processing block (2304) obtainsa 1^(st) slice. If a next 1^(st) slice is found, processing block (2305)defines 2^(nd) slices. The processing block (2305) may perform thisfunction by obtaining user input to describe the break points betweenthe 2nd slices, obtain previously stored information associated with thecurrent page or automatically by finding measures in the music.Processing block (2304) obtains the next 1^(st) slice and processingblock (2305) defines 2^(nd) slices for each 1^(st) slice. A typicalcompletely sliced page is shown in FIG. 25. 1^(st) slice (2410) is shownto be divided into three 2^(nd) slices (2511; 2512; 2513). 1^(st) slice(2420) is shown to be divided into two 2^(nd) slices (2521) and (2522).1^(st) slice (2430) is shown not divided further and only one 2^(nd)slice (2531) is created. When no more 1^(st) slices are found inprocessing block (2304) the next page is obtained in (2302) and issimilarly processed by blocks (2303; 2304; 2305). Processing block(2302) transfers to processing block (2306) when no further pages areavailable.

Processing block (2306) orders the 2^(nd) slices by their correspondingpage ordering as defined in processing block (2301). Processing block(2307) orders all the 2^(nd) slices within a page by the firstorientation. In the example shown in FIG. 25, the preferred ordering isfrom top to bottom. 2^(nd) slices (2511; 2512; 2513) would be first, butin no particular order. 2^(nd) slices (2521; 2522) are next but in noparticular order. Finally 2^(nd) slice (2531) follows. Processing block(2308) then orders the 2^(nd) slices within a page and 1^(st) slicegrouping. In the example shown in FIG. 25, the preferred ordering isfrom left to right. The order of the slices are now complete. In FIG.25, the ordering of the 2^(nd) slices in an example page is (2511; 2512;2513; 2521; 2522; 2531).

Logical groups of 2^(nd) slices are created in the next set ofprocessing blocks. Processing block (2310) creates an empty logicalgroup. Processing block (2311) gets the next ordered 2^(nd) slice, frombeginning to end, as defined by the output from processing block (2308).If a 2^(nd) slice is available, processing block (2312) determineswhether this 2^(nd) slice will fit on the display along with the other2^(nd) slices in the logical group. If it will fit, the 2^(nd) slice isadded to the logical group in processing block (2313). Processingcontinues to (2311) where the next 2^(nd) slice is retrieved. Processingcontinues in a similar manner until one of two conditions occur: First,the processing block (2312) may determine that the 2^(nd) slice cannotbe added to the logical group. Then processing continues to processingblock (2309) which stores the logical group in a sequentially localstorage. Then an empty new logical group is created in processing block(2310) and the process repeats as above. When processing block (2311)can find no more 2^(nd) slices to process, the current logical group ofis stored sequentially in block (2314) in a similar manner and in thesame local storage as processing block (2309). The processing block(2315) is now available to display the logical blocks of 2^(nd) slicesin the order stored in memory.

There may be bookmarks associated with various locations on the pages.It is impractical to show every bookmark located in the system so onlythe selected bookmarks are displayed. FIG. 26 illustrates one preferredembodiment for selecting the bookmarks for display. The process startsat step (2601). The next step is (2602) where the bookmarks are orderedin the same order that the logical groups are stored in processing block(2315). Every bookmark has an associated location on a page so abookmark can be associated with a logical block because the bookmarkfalls within the area covered by the logical block. Starting with thefirst bookmark, step (2603) determines whether the bookmark exists.Assuming it does exist, the bookmark is checked to determine whether itis a composition bookmark in step (2604). Bookmarks can be of manytypes, such as a composition bookmark, a section bookmark or a simplebookmark. A composition bookmark indicates the beginning of acomposition. All following logical blocks are assumed to be part of thatcomposition until another composition bookmark is found. A sectionbookmark is the beginning of a section within a composition and allfollowing logical blocks are assumed to be part of that compositionuntil another section bookmark or a composition bookmark is found. Asimple bookmark is only associated with the logical block it isassociated with. If the current bookmark is a composition bookmark thebookmark is added to the display list in a red oval-shaped button instep (2605). Otherwise, the bookmark is checked in step (2606) todetermine whether it is a section bookmark. If the current bookmark is asection bookmark the bookmark is added to the display list in a yellowarrow-shaped button in step (2607). Otherwise, the bookmark is checkedin step (2608) to determine whether it is a bookmark associated with alogical block within the current displayed section. If it is, it addedto the display list in a green rectangular-shaped button in step (2609).Otherwise, the bookmark is checked in step (2610) to determine whetherit is a bookmark associated with the currently displayed logical block.If it is, it added to the display list in a black rectangular-shapedbutton in step (2611). Otherwise, the next bookmark is obtained in step(2603). In addition, once completing steps (2605), (2607), (2609) or(2611) the next bookmark is obtained in step (2603). This series ofsteps repeats itself until no more bookmarks are left to process and theprocess completes at step (2612) where the selected bookmarks are readyto display. Other choices of colors and user interface structures can beselected consistent with the present invention. The decision is one ofdesign choices for assisting in the communication of relativeimportance, spatial orientation and proximity, etc.

FIG. 27 illustrates the logic and flow for event processing. Eventprocessing is started in block 2701. Block 2710 waits for an event tooccur. An event is created in response to an action affecting some partof the system. Examples of events include a presentation event of alogical block, selection event of a bookmark, and the creation event ofa logical block. There are many events possible and only some of theevents in the system should start a defined operation. This is done bycreating an association between an event and a defined operation foronly a subset of all events. Some events may not be associated with adefined operation. Block 2720 determines whether a defined operation isassociated with the event. If there is no association, control returnsto 2710 to wait for another event. If an association is found, block2730 causes the actions in the defined operation to occur. After thedefined operation is complete the system returns to block 2710 to waitfor another action. Examples of actions include: a logical group ispresented, the user selects a specific area of the display, a logicalgroup is created, or the presentation an object. A logical group iscreated when it is stored in local storage (2309, 2314). A definedoperation will cause a specific set of actions to occur in some part ofthe same system or another autonomous system. An example of a definedoperation has a first action to create a new logical group and a secondaction to present the newly created logical group. The previousexample's defined operation could have an association with a selectionevent of a bookmark. Another example of a defined operation includesonly one action to present a logical group. The previous example'sdefined operation could have an association with a creation event of alogical block. A third example of a defined operation has a first actionto present the first object in the bookmark information contained by abookmark, a second action to present the second object and furtheractions as needed to individually present the remaining objects untilall the objects are presented. The previous example's defined operationcould have an association with the presentation event of a relatedlogical block. These actions could create other events which in turncause other actions to take place. The design of events must becarefully double-checked so that any particular event does not create anever-ending cycle of events where the event causes an action to takeplace which causes the same event to occur again and again.

A bookmark is related to a specific location (2440) of an image (2401)and contains bookmark information that provides special detailsimportant to the system or the user that can be used to make decisionsor provide information to the system or user. Images are represented bydata that provides information regarding the visual representationtypically using a rectangular grid of coordinates to represent thelocation within the image. An image can be represented in many ways. Forexample, every point on a rectangular grid may be specified or lines andother symbols, such as letters, can be placed in the image using therectangular grid. A specific location uses the same grid of coordinatesto relate a bookmark to the image. Logical groups are created from acollection of sections from a set of images. A related logical group isassociated with a bookmark because the specific location of the bookmarkis contained within one of the collection of sections in the relatedlogical group. For instance, slices 2511, 2512, 2513, 2521 and 2522could be combined into a logical group and 2531 combined into anotherlogical group. The latter logical group would be the related logicalgroup with respect to bookmark 2440. When a user selects a specific areaof the display 2550, all items that are presented to the user in thespecific area are selected. This would include a bookmark whose locationis within the specific area of the display associated with a displayedand related logical group.

FIG. 28 illustrates various objects in accordance with the presentinvention. The bookmark information (2801) contained by a bookmark is acollection of objects. An object is an information source which can bevery simple to very complex. Examples of objects are: a number (2820),text (2810), an image (2850), a graphic, a drawing component, a soundimage (2840), movie (2830) and an audiovisual image. Objects are alwaysavailable to the system and may be presented to the user. The initialpresentation is the first time that an object is presented to the user.The system may try to present an object more than once but the user willnot see a difference because the object is already presented. Differentobjects are presented in different ways. For instance, a number may beconverted to text and presented on the display as text. It also couldcause a light to flash in correspondence to the number. Text istypically displayed as text but could also be converted to speech andaudibly presented to the user. Movies would be presented in either oneor both its audio and visual components.

Multiple screens of various configurations can operate in a synchronizedmanner during the page-turning process. For example, three appliancescan be configured side-by-side in a linked mode. Whereas, the leftdisplay is configured to display the first page and every other oddnumbered page thereafter; the middle display is configured to displayevery even numbered page; the right display is configured to display thesecond odd numbered page and every other odd page thereafter; and alldisplays are synchronized to display the pages of the piece in theproper order. If the left appliance receives a signal to change the pageorder, then it will revisit the last page that it displayed, and themiddle and right displays will follow. If the right appliance receives asignal to change the page order, then it will advance and send signalsto the left and middle appliances to advance accordingly. Theaforementioned page-change methodology utilized for system with multiplescreens may be logically adapted for use by systems with any number ofdisplays.

Page turning can also by synchronized among networked ones ofindependent ones of the appliances (linked sets and stand alone) so thatall networked appliances synchronously turn pages responsive to a singlesignal, such as from a conductor, stage hand, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 13, the navigation mode logic (step 630),responsive to the external input (step 609), and the program data forthe navigation/menus functionality, provides for user interfacefunctionality definition (step 631), and utilization of colors andshapes and locations to assist the user in navigating, based on feedbackof where the user is in the music selection relative to the bookmarklocations and colors and shapes as shown (step 632). Where the user hasprovided an external user input (step 609) such as actually selecting aspecific bookmark to navigate to, (step 630) leads to (step 633)providing navigational protocols. Responsive to this input, thenavigational protocol process (step 633) implements logic to cause theprocessor to find the data in memory corresponding to the bookmark andprovides for the appropriate image (e.g. the selected music data)display on the respective electronic music stand system's displayapparatus.

Bookmarking provides for marking of a location in the music compositionwith a label, and provides a displayable table for user selection fornavigation through the music composition. In this regard, the methodfurther comprises selecting portions of the music data of the selectedlogical sections for bookmarking; selecting a specific location withinan associated identification (ID) within the selected portions;providing bookmark information; associating the bookmark informationwith the associated ID and the specific locations; and providing forselective display of the specific locations responsive to user inputbased on the respective bookmark information. The selection of portionsfor bookmarking can be embedded in the music data done by a user of thesystem of the present invention. Any type of user input is acceptable.User input of selections for bookmarking, specific locations andbookmark information can be via a user touch-screen input display, aswitch input, a button input, external computer download of controldata, voice recognition, etc. The method further provides formaintaining bookmark data for bookmark locations and storing thebookmark data; providing a bookmark selection mode for displaying thebookmark information and respective associated ID; providing forselection of the specific locations responsive to a bookmark selectioninput; and displaying a music visual display for the selected specificlocations. Thus, a user can quickly navigate through the entire musicalcomposition using the bookmarks.

The bookmarking method further comprises providing a display for a tableof bookmarks representative of the bookmark data for at least some ofthe bookmarked locations. To facilitate quicker, easier and moreintuitive user interface, the present invention further comprisesstructuring layout of bookmarks in the display of the table of bookmarksin a physical juxtaposition and relationship to convey informationcontent by relative placement of the bookmarks. The structured layoutprovides information content relating to major movements, minormovements, relatively close sections, and relatively far sections viacolor and position of display of the bookmarks in the table. Color canalso be used to structure the layout.

Bookmark data is associated with a location on and within the musicnotation. The user can provide input to select locations, enter text,and color choices, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the system canrespond to control data—either embedded in the music data or asadditional data associated therewith, such as next logically associatedtransitions (e.g., a repeat) and loaded into the cache and prepared fordisplay. A second bookmark is defined by the association between thebookmark data and the next logically associated transition to provide asecond bookmark whose location is associated with the next logicalsection. There are two sources for the next logically associatedtransitions from a particular current location and video presentationdisplay of a single or multiple sections. The first source is thephysical layout of the music data and the rules of ordering and time formusic are used. For example, music is read from left to right, top tobottom and ascending page numbers. The second source for transitions iscontrol data, such as a second bookmark associated with the displayedsection. Both of these sources are used by cache logic to predict thepossible next section that the user may choose. This intelligentpre-loading of the cache memory by the cache logic predicts which musicdata (or other type of data, as appropriate) is needed in what order andassures its fast availability. This is very useful such as followingbranches outward where a user can select a bookmark on a displayedsection and if that bookmark has an associated second bookmark then thelocation associated with the second bookmark will be pre-loaded into thecache memory.

The Presentation GUI controls a cache of stored music (or other type)data. Caching data is a commonly used method for optimizing system speedand enhancing performance, and various data-caching methodologies arewell-known and widely published (e.g.:—Archimedia, Archive ManagementSystem, System Overview. Bristol: K-PAR Systems, http://www.k-par.com;Johnsson, Bjorn Thor. Application-oriented Buffering and CachingTechniques. University of Maryland, PhD. Dissertation: 1998;—How CachingWorks. http://www.howstuffworks.com; Mazzucco, Paul. The Fundamentals ofCache. http://www.slcentral.com: 2000; McCarthy, Tim. Building Your OwnIn-memory Data Cache. http://www.interknowlogy.com.) The music data canbe stored locally or at a remote location. However, remotely stored datawill produce slower display transitions, than locally stored data. Themusic data may be stored at a different resolution or may need to beotherwise altered for display—further delaying presentation. The cachecontains display-ready data for immediate display and is typicallystored in the Performer System's RAM. The cache selectively maintainspreviously displayed sections and anticipates the user's next requestfor data based upon historical usage and proximity to other sectionswithin the context of logical order. Cache-size is limited andconfigured for optimal system performance, so it is periodicallyrefreshed as users introduce new data. The cache may not be able topredict successive sections when the musician is not following thelogical flow of the music with 100% accuracy (such as a random jump toan unrelated composition during rehearsal). However, successivelyselected sections can be predicted with 100% accuracy when the userfollows the logical flow of the music (or other) content. The cache canload and prepare the next logical section for display transitions byobtaining music data from storage (local or remote) as a backgroundfunction while the user views the presently displayed music prior torequesting a transition. Optimally, the next logical section is readyfor display upon request.

Similarly, bookmark data is associated with a location on the musicnotation along with the next logically associated transitions (i.e., arepeat) and loaded into the cache and prepared for display.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, in a preferred embodiment, each performersystem saves an image of the respective music page in the short-termcache (e.g., high speed RAM) of the Data Storage Apparatus (205) asshown in FIG. 7A. The processor (201) calculates the next most likelypages that the user may request to display. The processor then reads themusic page information from the long-term memory, typically a hard driveor flash ROM, of the Data Storage Apparatus (205) and transfers it tothe short-term cache performing any transformations of the data toprepare it for subsequent display. When the user requests a new page tobe displayed (as described in the previous paragraph), this process isincreased in speed since the information has already been preloaded.

The casing (102) that houses the electronics of the electronic musicstand performer system, as illustrated by FIG. 1, is mounted to a stand:a vertically oriented support (107) that is coupled to a floor-base(108). In a preferred embodiment, the support (107) and base (108) areadjustable and provide pivoting and telescoping connections forattaching to the mounting on the casing (102). Stands are commerciallyavailable from vendors including: Wenger of Minnesota, U.S.A., andManhassett Music Stands also of the U.S. Using VESA (Video ElectronicsStandards Association) standard for computing device mounting holes formounting the casing (102) to the vertical support (107) provides forcompatibility with any of a variety of industrial and consumer standsand computer devices in compliance with the VESA standard. A quickconnect/disconnect mechanism can be mounted to the stand and theappliance casing to facilitate quicker setup and breakdown. Examples ofindustrial and consumer stands in compliance with the VESA standard (andquick connect/disconnect mechanisms) include commercially availableproducts from Ergotron, Inc. of St. Paul, Minn. and Compucaddy, both ofthe U.S.A. Alternatively, the casing (102) can be handheld or mounted toor set upon another object (e.g., a piano, wall, table, etc).

The music notation data can be organized into compositions. AComposition Bookmark is defined at the beginning of each composition.Each composition can have a defined set of major pages—a movement. Thebeginning of each set of major pages can be identified by a MajorBookmark within a composition along with other significant rehearsalnumbers or letters identified as Minor Bookmarks. When bookmarks aredisplayed for the musician, all Composition Bookmarks are displayed. Inone embodiment, all Major Bookmarks are displayed that are associatedwith the current composition, and all Minor Bookmarks are displayed thatare associated corresponding to the current Major Bookmark. In apreferred embodiment, the musician needs to perform no more than threeselections to jump to any bookmark within the set of loadedcompositions.

Bookmarks are used to jump to specific sections in the music. Therefore,a bookmark must be associated with a specific location in the music,rather than a formatted page. Bookmarks can be accessed in various ways.For example, a series of bookmarks can be displayed, whereby the userselects the desired bookmark and the associated section is displayed.

Continuing in the book-marking process and function, the system providesfor selection logic for selecting a portion of the music data of theselected logical sections for book-marking by the user. Logic providesfor response to a user's selecting a specific location with anassociated I.D. within the selected portion. Association logicassociates the bookmark information with the associated I.D. and thespecific location. Bookmark logic provides for the selective display ofthe specific location responsive to user input based upon the user'sresponse to the respective displayed bookmark information. User inputcan be via user touch-screen input, external switches, a keyboard(physical or virtual via the touch screen) a button, voice recognition,or otherwise. A memory is provided for maintaining bookmark data for allbookmark locations, and selection logic provides for a bookmarkselection mode which displays a table of the bookmark information withrespect to the associated I.D. for the user to use. In a preferredembodiment, the librarian logic provides for selection of a specificlocation, while the performance logic provides for displaying the musicvisually for the selected specific location. The bookmark selection modecan provide for display of the table or a list of bookmarks, or anyother format for displaying the bookmarks, and providing for userselection of bookmarks providing for navigating through the logicalsections of the musical display in any order as defined by the user. Asdiscussed above, the layout of the bookmarks in the display of the tableis structured to facilitate ease of user utilization.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, in thebook-marking process and function, the system used on the illustratedappliance provides for selecting a previously defined bookmark andassociating a second bookmark with the first bookmark. Logic providesfor response to a user selecting the first bookmark by selecting thesecond bookmark and causing the second to be associated with the first.Association logic associates the first bookmark information with theassociated I.D. of the second bookmark in addition to previously definedinformation in the first bookmark. The second bookmark's associatedlocation can be on the same appliance as the first bookmark, or on aseparate appliance, or both. User input can be via user touch-screeninput, external switches, a button, voice recognition or otherwise. Inthe preferred embodiment, the first bookmark is displayed on the screenas text, an icon or user drawn images. The visible display of the firstbookmark is responsive to the user via touch-screen input, externalswitches, a button, voice recognition or otherwise. Search logicprovides for associating the visible display of the first bookmark,obtaining the associated I.D. of the second bookmark, searching for thesecond bookmark and obtaining the location associated with the secondbookmark. Display logic is then provided to begin the transition of thedisplay to cause the second bookmark's location to be displayed.

Multiple screens of various configurations can operate in a synchronizedmanner for movement from one section to another. For example, eachdevice will move to a new section as directed by of one or more of thenetworked appliances. When one of the appliances in the group isinstructed to move to another section, via touch-screen or button, itsends a signal to all of the appliances in its group to move to the samesection.

By use of the association logic and the first and second bookmarks, allcoordinated appliances are able to display the same section. A signalmay be sent from one user to all of the users and appliances in the samegroup. For instance, the conductor may wish to have the entire orchestrastart at letter “B” and sends a signal to the entire orchestra to causeevery appliance to display that section. Alternatively, the conductorcan make a change to an individual part of the conductor's score, andthe first and second bookmarks and the association logic provide fordisplay of the conductor's marking on the appliance(s) for thatrespective individual part piece (e.g., all first violins).Alternatively, or additionally, the conductor can view the individualpart piece on the conductor's appliance. The displayed music score neednot be identically formatted among appliances, but alternatively can beformatted to display different parts for the conductor, violins, cello,trumpet, drums, etc. Appliances can also be programmed to prompt theuser to accept or deny signals from other user or appliances.

Another embodiment of accessing bookmarks allows a user to specify auser-drawn notation associated with a bookmark. Thus, if the usertouches the screen on a bookmark notation, then the display would changeto the associated bookmark.

Alternatively, the bookmark list can be dynamically displayed anddetermined by the current section of displayed music. The bookmark listdisplays the bookmarks that are closest to the current section beingdisplayed. At the highest level, the first page of each score or musiccomposition is displayed. Then the major bookmarks (i.e., movements) ineach piece are displayed for the current score being displayed. Then theminor bookmarks (i.e., measure numbers, pages, letter/numbers, etc.) inthe current score (or music composition or script, etc.) are displayed.First the letters in the current major bookmark section are displayed.If room on the display is available, then all the minor bookmarks can bedisplayed for the current score.

The musician must be able to select the position of the music to bedisplayed by moving sequentially forward or backward as previouslydescribed. However, there are many times when the musician needs to jumpto a particular page out of sequence, and bookmarks can be assigned touser selected specific locations in the music notation. The bookmarksare initially displayed for selection by the musician touching the touchscreen (or pointing to, pressing a button, or typing commands), in orderto display a list of bookmarks. Each bookmark can be named by the user,and thereafter selected from a list of user-defined bookmarks. ThePerformer System will then display the selected music notation data andpresent it in an appropriate format. The Performer System may useinformation about which pages are currently being display, which pageshave been displayed and which pages will likely be displayed next.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 8, and 16, the electronic music stand providesbook-marking capability so that the user can navigate around the musiccomposition to find specific locations within the music and quickly jumpto that location. The user interface is set up to optimize intuitive useof the book-marking system. In a preferred embodiment, color-coding ofthe bookmarks is based on frequency of use, relative location of theselected bookmark in the overall ordering, and timeliness of use. Forexample, the color black bookmark is the current position (prior tojumping to the bookmark table), while relatively close pages will beshown in green for their bookmarks with most or all of the closer pagesdisplayed (such as every page or every other page), while relativelyfurther pages are shown in a different color (such as blue) and lesspages displayed only displaying one bookmark for every five, ten orlarger numbers of pages. The choices of color and placement are designcriteria the system designer can tweak and select. Thus, utilizingbookmarking conventions and protocols, the performer subsystem helps theuser intuitively navigate quickly through the bookmarks and improvedfunctionality is provided.

Musical notation is used, in the generic sense, to refer to any way ofconveying musical performance instructions including but not limited tocommon musical notation with staffs, notes, sharps, fiats, and clefs,extending to written instructions in text form to supplement this orsupplant or partially replace, as well as alternate forms of expressionsuch as chord charts, words and chords (letters), tablature, any video,graphic, audio, audiovisual or other display presentation or combinationof the aforementioned types of presentations. In addition to musicnotation, any other type of data can be displayed, such as scripts,text, images, video, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 13, when the Edit Mode (step 650) is selected,the processing provides for the user to make notation via the inputapparatus for display along with the display of the stored image data(e.g. music data) for display as an overlay to the otherwise displayedmusic image data. Each additional edit session can be saved as aseparate image. Overlay layer, thus providing for storage of multiplesets of revisions.

In one embodiment, when user edits and notes are displayed on top of themusic display, an Undo soft-touch button appears. This button will undoand make invisible, but not delete, the last drawn line. When edits andnotes are invisible on the music a Redo soft-touch button displayappears. This button makes visible the last line made invisible. ADelete button also appears. The Delete button will delete permanentlyall invisible lines. Alternatively, the user can select particularrevisions to be deleted.

Music editing mode provides for user modification, deletion, copying andother operations on the music information displayed. In this mode themusic display is slightly smaller to accommodate on-screen soft-touchbuttons along the peripheral edges of the display (e.g. right and bottommargins) to perform operations.

In a preferred embodiment, the draw mode allows the user to draw notesor notations on the music or other displayed image. A set of soft-touchbuttons are used to select a color. Another soft-touch button is used toselect the width of the line drawn (e.g. thin, medium and wide(highlight)). When the user touches the screen in the displayed musicarea, the line is started. A line is drawn on the screen as the userslides a finger or stylus across the screen and is completed wheneverthe user stops touching the screen. Multiple lines can thus be drawn.Pop-up palettes can be provided to provide standard notations for theuser to select and position on the display (e.g. staff line, clef,notes, accidentals, etc.)

The musician may need to add his own notation via an image overlay tothe original music notation obtained by the Performer System. Themusician can change the width, color and other characteristics of thelines drawn by touching, pointing to, pressing or typing the changes onspecific touch-sensitive areas, specific buttons or entering specifictext commands. The image overlay is then added to the display of theimage whenever the particular image information is displayed. The linesare drawn by the musician touching, pointing to, pressing or typingcommands that describe where a line or lines should be drawn. As themusician moves the location of the touch-sensitive input, the line isextended to include that position. The end of the line can be definedwhen the user stops providing touch-sensitive input by removing his orstylus or finger from the screen, or does not provide any additionalinput during a pre-defined period of time. Additionally, exiting thedraw-mode effectively terminates any line that has not been previouslyterminated.

Lines are stored relative to the dimensions of the music notation dataand can be easily positioned relative to the music notation dataregardless of scale. Each line can be stored with a time-stamp thatindicates when the line was drawn. The time-stamp may be used asline-selection criteria, for storing and identifying levels of revision,etc.

The lines drawn can be selected to be opaque, completely covering theunderlying music notation. The lines can also be selected to besemi-transparent and drawn in a manner called “Color Printing,” allowingthe underlying music notation to be visible through the overlay.

Selected lines can be made invisible in the reverse order that they aredrawn—the last line drawn is the first to be made invisible.Alternatively, a user may select a particular line or lines or region ofdisplay by defining the corners of a rectangle. The selected lines canthen be made invisible responsive to the user. Invisible lines can becompletely removed from the Performer System as specified by the users,or be made re-visible as specified by the user.

The color of the line (CL) is determined by the user's selection, suchas via “soft” touch screen buttons as discussed above, and has threecomponents, red (RL), green (GL) and blue (BL). Each of these componentscan take on values from 0 to 255 where 0 is none and 255 is fullintensity. For example, when all three components are 0 the colorappears as black. When all are 255 the color appears as white. The lineis drawn using the color CL and combined with the color of the musicdata at each pixel where CP is the color at pixel at a particular pixelof music data to generate a new color (CN). The pixel color is notmerely replaced by CL because music data would be eliminated and thenwould become unreadable in that area. Instead CN is affected by both CLand CP. This method of combining the colors is called, Color Printing orColor Printed.

In one implementation, CN is Color Printed by combining CL and CP bymultiplying each component of CL times the corresponding component of CPand dividing by 255 and rounding to a integer. The rounding could be tothe nearest integer, e.g., 11/4=3, or can use truncation, e.g., 11/4=2,or other method. For example, if CP was [10,150,255] and CL was [128,200, 100] then CN would be [5, 118, 100]. A second implementation ofColor Printing is defined by combining CL and CP bit-wise by AND-ing ofthe component values of CL in their standard binary representation withthe corresponding component values of CP. Using the above exemplaryvalues for CL and CP, the resulting CN for this implementation would be[0, 128, 100]. In both implementations, it is preferred to select CLwith all non-zero components so all the components of CN are dependenton CP also.

In a preferred embodiment, Redo and Delete buttons appear in the Drawmode. A Select feature allows the user to select specific lines (addedby the user in edit/draw mode) on the screen by touching the screen bytouching the screen across the specific lines. All the lines within thebox defined by the starting and ending points on the touch are selected.The selected lines can be enhanced by a “halo” display. When lines arethus selected, the Undo button appears. This button will undo and makeinvisible, but not delete, the selected lines. Additionally, when anyarea is selected, a “SEND” button appears. If this button is touched(selected), a list of other appliances appears on the communicationsnetwork available to send the selected area to. The user can then selectany available desired appliances, and the selected area of drawings aretransmitted to the selected appliance or appliances.

The draw mode allows the user to draw notations on the music. A set ofbuttons is used to select a color. Another button is used to select theline-width, (e.g., thin, medium and wide (highlight)). In draw-mode, theline begins where the user touches the screen and continues until theuser stops touching the screen. Multiple lines can thus be drawn.

Preferably, the system utilizes a touch-screen overlaying the display.The touch-screen may require the use of a special stylus, be opaque toblock light beams, require direct contact by a hand, or it may justrequire pressure from any object. In some embodiments a visible cursoris provided to assist the user to follow user input.

Alternatively, or additionally, a physically remote input device is used(instead of a touch-sensitive area overlay on the display), e.g., atraditional computer mouse, a keyboard, or set of physical buttons maybe used to provide user input to the appliance. With a non-touch screendisplay, the display provides a visible cursor or other visual cues sothe musician can position the cursor in the correct location.

Buttons, typically implemented using switches, or via touch sensitiveareas of screen display buttons can provide specific user control overthe device. A button can be integrated into the physical case of thePerformer System or can be provided external to the case by plugginginto the Performer System and located in the vicinity of the PerformerSystem to be more convenient for the musician to actuate the button.Also, external signals from other dissimilar devices may provide aninput to the Performer System. These inputs do not necessarily requirethat a visual cue be provided on the screen. For instance, one input maycause the system to advance to the next logical page, while another maycause the system to return to the previous page, while yet another inputcauses a jump to a defined bookmark, while yet another input providesfor controlled dimming or brightening of the display. Thetouch-sensitive inputs can be used by statically or dynamically definingareas of the touch-sensitive area that implement page-turning and otherfunctions such as mode changes, bookmarks, displaying information, andshutdown.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, themulti-dimensional music display, communication and transformation systemof the present invention also enables a user to select one or moremusical compositions from a larger database from a plurality of musicalcompositions. The database can be stored locally within the workstation,on site, or remotely stored and transmitted to the user (such as overcable, wire, telephone lines, wireless (such as radio frequencies)). Theuser can also optionally edit the selected score of the composition(such as changing the key and/or any note and/or timing, etc.) to suithis or her taste. The score (altered (the derivative composition) or not(the original composition)) can then be transmitted to one or moredisplays (such as liquid crystal or CRTs) in the music stands of theband or orchestra. The present invention, therefore, provides anefficient, paperless solution to communicating, presenting (displaying),and optionally one or more of transposing, editing, inputting,comparative testing-teaching, conducting, and disseminating music to onedisplay or a large number of displays. Each display can have the same,or a different, unique, customized presentation of music notation asappropriate per selection, responsive to a set-up by a system,automatically per predefined parameters, and/or to user input. The scorecan also be printed out if a hard copy is desired.

Modification can be performed on rhythm, primary key, individual notes,chords, etc. The vast store of musical information stored in digitalnotation format and/or any video format, can be broadcast (analog ordigital) to a local music workstation or a master controller, which canalso be a local workstation. The master controller can be a stand aloneunit, or act as a server as well as its own stand alone unit, or simplyas a server to a plurality of other stand alone units. However, in theminimal configuration, only a single musical user station is needed.

Referring again to FIG. 12, if no changes are desired, the musical scorefor the composition that is selected is broadcast, transmitted, orotherwise transferred to the workstation music stand appliance (220). Itis internally stored in the local workstation music stand. Next, thescore is displayed (225) on the workstation display (e.g., LCD or CRT)or a video projection system. The display can also be part of anintegral stand-alone workstation or an interconnected group ofcomponents including a personal computer (such as Macintosh, or DOS orWindows PC).

Referring again to FIG. 12, the display mode selection is then made(1230). This permits selection of an operational display mode, notsimply choosing the resolution or color. The two main choices in thepreferred embodiment are a manual mode (1250) and an automated mode(1240). In the automated mode selection (1240), there are many sub-modesor options, such as the operational mode that permits the performer oruser to do their performing without having to tend to the selection ofthe portion of the music to be displayed or the turning of pages. In theauto performance mode as shown on LCD (135), there is provided thesimultaneous displaying of the selected musical composition, and adisplay representative of the audio performance of the user, and adivergence signal or divergence data representative of analyzing theperformance, preferably in approximately real-time.

FIG. 17 illustrates the manual mode (1250), which provides for usermanual selection of functions (1252). There are many functions that theuser can select, even in the manual mode, such as hitting a button or atouch screen to cause the turning of the page of the display. Anotherfunction is to go back a page or to scroll forwards or backwards. Forthose who are vision impaired, another function can increase the fontsize or magnification of the music presentation.

Thus, there are many manually selected functions that can be provided.While the manual mode can have automated functions selected, it isdistinguished from the automated mode where control is partiallypre-defined without user assistance. In the manual mode (1250), the userselects any and all advanced features that are going to be provided(some of which can be automated). The selected function is thenprocessed (1256).

Next, any ongoing needs are processed (1257). These needs can includeany overlapping automated function (not otherwise inconsistent with anyother selected function).

In one preferred embodiment, the workstation is provided as a musicstand where the display presentation is a liquid crystal display (LCD).The LCD that can provide monochrome, gray scale or high quality colordisplays, depending on design and cost constraints and desires. Otherdisplay types can also be used. A touch-screen input can provide forsimplified and adaptive user input selections. An optional built-inmetronome function can also be provided for display presentation (audioand/or video). In one embodiment a music sound subsystem provides forthe music to be audibly reproduced at the workstation through a speakeror headphone jack or other output. A SMPTE and/or MIDI interface canalso be provided, to permit external timing control for page turns, thedisplay and/or audio from MIDI music data, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, when the system is in the Option Mode (630)(i.e. where Option Mode has been selected), the system proceeds to(steps 655; 660; 665; 670). In the Protocols Mode (step 655), the systemsets up defining protocols for user interface, communications,orientation of the display, etc. Other protocol set-ups include userlog-in, start-up state, color schemes, timing parameters, and others. Inthe Page Turning Options mode (step 660), the system permitsestablishment of page turning options. For example, by utilizing thetouch-screen input on the touch-screen display (or other input apparatusin conjunction with a non-touch screen display), the user can selectpage-turning options such as quick transition (nearly instant), fade,wipe, peel, or other effects. Additionally, the user can choose to set atime delay for the page turning time, and set time delays for transitionof the page turn from the top of the page while leaving the bottomvisible for a fixed (defined) time.

In a two-screen system, the second screen can continue to display thecurrent page while the first screen can display the next page subsequentto that displayed on the second screen, with a predefined time delayadded before changing the second (right) screen to its respective newpage when implemented as a step (or delayed) page turn mode. In thestand alone mode of set up (step 665), the user sets up the music standperformance system as a stand-alone system, with each of the twoPerformer Subsystem operating independently thereafter as stand-alone. Asingle screen Performer system inherently operates as stand-alone. Wheremulti-screen (linked set) mode (step 670) is selected, the user furtherproceeds to define options by making selections of the displays of thePerformer Subsystems defining the logical order, from first to last(e.g. right to left tom to bottom, etc.), that each of the PerformerSubsystems (e.g., FIG. 5B (500-A; 500-B)) provide for display of music.In a preferred embodiment, the linked system permits the user to defineeach of the linked subsystems' displays as a left page (step 671) as oneor more middle pages (step 672) (where appropriate), and as a right page(step 673). This can be extended to various sizes (e.g. 3″, 8″, 10″,12″, 15″, 17″, 19″, etc.) and multiple display pages (2 screens, 3screens, 4 screens, and so forth) and to provide additional options(e.g., changing display orientation from portrait to landscape andvice-versa).

The system can be set to default (with no external user input) uponstart up to commence operation in the performance mode and can display apredefined piece of music in accordance with start up parameters.Alternatively, the user can actively select the performance mode (step640). In the performance mode, control and management of display of themusic data, as well as page changes, caching, buffering of data toincrease operational speed, are provided. Forward and backward pagechanges can be implemented in various ways. In one embodiment, pagechanges are responsive to touching specified areas of the screen. Theseareas can either be in the same area where the music is displayed or inan area of the screen not covered by the music data.

For example, in FIG. 5, a forward page change would be mode responsiveto a touch of screen (504) and a backward page change could be maderesponsive to a touch of screen (503). The pages on the screens (503;504) would change by two pages with screen (504) always containing(displaying) the next logical page after the page displayed on screen(503). In FIGS. 1 and 4, a forward page change would be responsive to atouch of the right side of screen (135; 404). The backward page changewould be responsive to touching the left side of screen (135; 404). Thepage change in FIGS. 1 and 4 would only change the displayed page byone. In FIG. 6, a forward page change is responsive to a touch of screen(605) and the right side of (604). The backward page change isresponsive to a touch of screen (603) and the left side of screen (604).In the manner described for FIG. 1, the pages would be ordered by theirposition but in FIG. 4 each subsystem would move 3 pages.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, Appliance Options logic (1006) provides theuser with selection of display and page-turning options regarding thepresentation of the appliance. For example, on one selected optionsscreen display, selection of one button toggles the background colorbetween various levels from normal (white) to inverse (black). Anotherbutton provides for selection of changes in the transition betweenImmediate, Step and Reveal types of page transitions. Alternatively, oradditionally, each of the performer subsystems is selectively responsiveto an external control signal which triggers selective dimming andbrightening of the brightness level of the display and/or remote controlof page changes, or downloading of program, control, or music data.

The system and methodology of the present invention eliminates most ofthe annoyances in performing music using any written notation (whetheron paper or electronically displayed on a presentation apparatus such asa screen) is smoothly performing music and timing “flips of pages”, aswell as the inefficiency and time losses involved in the communicationof change to a third party. This even more important when user ismarching, and/or where both hands are required simultaneously to play aninstrument.

As discussed above herein, in accordance with the present invention whena new section of music is displayed on an appliance, there are multiplepage-turn transitions that can occur depending upon setup selection. Afirst transition is the Quick or Instant page-turn. The display of newinformation immediately replaces the current displayed sections with thenew sections to be displayed.

A second transition is a step change page-turn. The first portion of theentire display immediately changes when the transition starts (such asactivated by a touch or switch or other activation). The first portionis the top half (approximately) of the display in the case of a singlescreen display (stand-alone mode) appliance. In the case of combined“linked set” appliances, the entire display of the first appliance inthe linked set group immediately changes. After a user definable delay,or system default delay, the rest of the displayed sections are changedand new data is displayed. During the transition, a bar (a gray orcolored wide line) is displayed between the old display and new. Thisallows the musician to quickly observe the music transition process anddetermine which transitions have occurred.

A third transition method is a reveal page-turn, where the new sectionsprogressively reveal themselves to replace the older display from thefirst section to the last in a smooth transition. The music does notmove, the new music simply progressively covers up the old. The speed ofthe transition can be controlled by the musician, or controlled by asystem default value.

The display options provided include not only the one screen and twoscreen options and multiple screen options where there are more than twoscreens, but additionally provide partial page (e.g. marching band orhalf screen) options as well as multiple cascaded screen options.

The presentation upon the display apparatus for music is at least one ofthe same page as equivalent printed music, a subsection of theequivalent printed music, and a completely repaginated version of theequivalent printed music. Alternatively, or additionally, text, scripts,or other image data can be displayed.

Where music data has predefined sections defined (such as definition ofpredefined sections embedded within the music data), the display showsone or more of the predefined sections in a logical order.

For a two-page display, the presentation upon the display apparatus canrange from a portion of a page of the printed music equivalent to two ormore pages of the equivalent printed music.

The format of the displayed music can be identical to or vary from theprinted sheet music from which the displayed music is derived. If thedisplayed music is divided into sections, e.g., individual systems (acomplete set of staff lines), measures or notes, a subsection of theprinted sheet music, then the music needs to have predefined sections inorder for the display to show single or multiple sections in a logicalorder. The appliance interprets the size and logical order of thesections in order to currently determine and anticipate subsequentnumbers of sections and measures to display on the screen. Thus, ascreen can display two or more pages, or a portion (or portions) of asingle page (or from multiple pages) of the printed music score orcomposition from which the music is derived. The screen can displaymusic that has been re-paginated to include a different number ofmeasures or sections than are printed per page on the correspondinghard-copy of the music.

The sections can be advanced via several alternative methods. Forexample, the screen can have a touch-sensitive surface, enabling theuser to touch the right side of the screen and cause the sections toadvance instead of turning a physical page. Touching the left side ofthe screen will cause the sections to go to the previous logicalsections or pages. Alternatively, a physical button or a switch can beused to advance or revisit the sections to be displayed. The physicalbutton or switch may be located on the appliance or connected externalto the appliance for the operation by the hand, foot, leg, arm, etc.Optionally, an external signal can trigger page turn on the appliance.

Additionally, the sections can be advanced by an external signal fromone appliance to another. When appliances are linked as a set and arenetworked and synchronized, in the linked mode one appliance displaysthe even pages (typically left side) and the other appliance displaysthe odd pages (typically right side)—like a book. For example, the twocoordinated appliances in a linked set respond to the signals from eachother and display the appropriate sections; though their respectivedisplay formats may vary. In a synchronized mode, the left side of the“screen” is actually the entire left display, because the user perceivesthe “screen” to be the composite of all the appliances used to displaythe music. In a synchronized mode, the right side of the “screen” isactually the entire right display, because the user perceives the“screen” to be the composite of all the appliances used to display themusic. A signal sent to advance the displayed images causes allsynchronized appliances to advance the same number of pages as aredisplayed at the time the signal is sent. For instance, if two pages aredisplayed at the time a signal is sent to advance, then the next twopages of the same music score will be the displayed. Alternatively, theuser can set up page turns to be one (or other number of) page(s) at atime on the linked set.

The display can advance the music by page option, or by a user selectionof one of many options (e.g., scrolling, tablature, video graphic,tutorial display, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 18, the automated mode 1 for auto-advance operation(1242) of FIG. 15A is illustrated, where the user has selected anauto-advance performance mode. In this mode “A Mode 1” (1271), thesystem tracks the performance by the user of the composition to themusic notation (e.g. composition or score) (1272). Performance refers tothe actual performance by an individual person (or people) who is (are)reading the musical score upon or composition which the performance isbased. Whether that score is in tablature format, staff and clef andnote notation, or some other format, the system generates appropriatesignals to permit comparison of the user's performance to the musicalscore.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, automated mode 3 “A Mode 3” is theperformance mode (1246). In this mode, the operation is as in automatedmode 1 (auto-advance mode) except that no user over-ride is permitted.Its primary purpose is to accompany the performer during the entireperformance of a score as an automated page turner. The tracking of the“page turning” to the performance can optionally be based on inputs orcriteria independent of a performer's actual performance input (e.g.,microphone), such as a built-in metronome clock, a central control(e.g., a conductor or special user input), an externally provided pageturn signal, etc. In one embodiment, the appliance provides for a manualoverride mode which provides for an emergency stop, and switch over toManual Mode. Additionally, performance characteristics can be tracked,computed, and reported as in the teaching and training mode. Trainingfeedback can optionally be provided real-time, or subsequent tocompletion of performance, to assist the performer as in the trainingmode. Alternatively, the score can be presented in a moving score mode(e.g., vertically, horizontally, or otherwise) or a linear presentationas opposed to a page turning display.

FIG. 20 shows the operation of automated mode 4 (“A Mode 4”) whichprovides for the processing of other automated functions selected by thesystem. These modes can include conductor mode, karaoke mode, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 18, in accordance with another aspect of thepresent invention, means are provided for moving through the printed(displayed) notation of the music in synchronization with the liveperformance from the displayed musical notation.

Based on a comparison, a decision is made pursuant to selection criteriaprogrammed into the system (such as the rate at which the piece is beingplayed, the time signature, the tempo, the rhythm, and the advancementof the music on the available display), the display presentation isadvanced (1274 and 1278). In some cases, the music might move backwards,such as with a repeat or a D. S. Coda. The presentation of the displaytracks the performance to permit smooth, uninterrupted playing orsinging. The capability can be provided for the user to over-ride thisauto-advance, such as for practicing where it is desired to keep goingback over sections. In this case, a user over-ride option (1276) ispermitted to alter the automated operation. Upon activation or cessationof user over-ride, the system can be programmed to stop, toautomatically return to the regular auto-advance mode, to jump to adefined location, or to process other auto-modes (1270) of FIG. 15A.

The override can cause the progression to go backwards or forwards inthe music score, irrespective of the normal progression of reading ofit. The performance mode AutoMode blocks the user override to permitperformance according to proper material timing. This automaticallymoves through the musical score as written and preferably shows anindication of metronome time and an indication of the proper place inthe score where the performer should be for that instrument at anyspecific time. This is especially valuable in a conductor mode ofnetworked communication, where a conductor couples to one or more musicworkstations. The conductor (or Librarian) can optionally be providedoverride, stop, start, and tempo change capabilities as a “super-user”in all modes.

Additional types of inputs that can initiate a “page turn” include voiceor sound recognition apparatus built into the electronic music standsystem. This sound recognition apparatus has the ability to use patternrecognition specific to the sound, or specific to the user voice and/orwords being spoken (for extremely high accuracy). Of course, any type ofuser actuated device such as a foot or hand switch, or head motiondevice, or sound or voice recognition system touch screen input, etc. Ina preferred embodiment, is selectively permitted to control theactivation or override of the normal progression of the music's play.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, in one embodiment, the user input means (411)is comprised of a key switch device, such as a touch membrane keypad orcapacitance touch surface. In a preferred embodiment, the user input isprovided via a touch screen display technology. Touch screen technologypermits the programmable display of user interactive icons and legendsincluding text and graphics making possible unlimited customization ofuser input structure according to task needs. Thus, to create a musicianintuitive interface, specific switches or sequences of touches to thetouch screen can be associated with common use icons from the task beingperformed in conjunction with words to provide ultimate clarity. Usererror is virtually eliminated, with the aid of automatic entry errordetection, defined fields, mandatory fields, etc.

Alternatively, microphone input (527) can provide for coupling of userspeech to a processing subsystem (such as a Master Music Controller(415)) or processor sub-system ((280) of FIG. 2) that uses any of anumber of commercially available and well-known speech recognitionalgorithms. These algorithms provide for speech recognition inputcontrol, either solely or as a supplement to touch screen or othertactile input mechanisms.

Voice recognition and response to conductor (or other person's)commentary can supplement the system. The system could record themessage, interpret to whom the conductor directed the message and conveyit audibly or translate it into a text or icon display as a part of thesystem's audiovisual presentation. Alternatively, or additionally,instant messaging, can be provided via voice recognition, keyboardinput, touch screen input, audio input, or a combination of these.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, means areprovided to accept inputs from one or more sources that initiates a“page turn”. Types of inputs include conventional touch input apparatus(such as key switches or capacitive touch pads), motion sensing gear,sound recognition, external control signaling, and automatically whenoperating in the operational mode of Auto Mode. The motion sensing gearcan be for a portion of the performer's body, such as a head tilt sensoror an optical eye movement sensor, etc.

A new form of communication is created in that both the process ofcommunicating via standard notation is respected and adhered to, whileat the same time permitting interaction and communication of music mediasignals.

The input of monitored movement data is provided to the userworkstation, permitting precise mechanics training such as fingerposition, the angle of striking of strings relative to the neck of aviolin (or guitar, etc.) or they can be used to permit the virtualperformance of music by a performer using a virtual link apparatus suchas a virtual reality glove or bow and/or pick movement detectionapparatus. The user can then perform a piece with their ownpersonalization without any musical instrument in fact.

For example, the guitar portion for a piece of music could be displayedin notation form and actually performed according to the timing ofmovements of the user's fingers (either actual fret positions, or onlytiming information). To add further reality, a mock guitar, keyboard,flute, or other instrument can be used and combined with virtual effectsto provide for music performance and personalization. Thus, forentertainment purposes, users could perform as part of a symphonyorchestra playing a violin portion. If they performed out of time, theywould hear their instrument's performance out of synch with the rest ofthe orchestra's performance.

FIG. 21 illustrates a conductor, stage hand, or other person with asensor glove on each hand (1435) and a head and eye movement monitor(1430). The figure also illustrates the conductor wearing full bodysensor equipment (1440). Either embodiment or combined embodiments canbe used to map body movements. If only the gloves (1435) or body sensors(1444) are used, the movement of the glove or sensors can be captured bya video system, as illustrated in FIG. 22.

In one embodiment, a motion sensor subsystem (422) monitors motion of atarget person and responds with signal outputs in accordance withpredefined movement interpretation characteristics parameters, such asfor a conductor.

In conductor mode, a conductor can control communications of signals tohis or her performer (such as “increase volume”, or “increase tempo”, or“play staccato”). Icons can be provided where the conductor simplytouches a touch screen (or other input mechanisms) to supplement hishand and body motions to permit more effective communication with theperformers. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, in a moreadvanced system version, the conductor's movements are first learned bya monitoring system, based on user definition and assignment of meaningsfor movement to provide an expert knowledge database.

This system also provides for tracking of movement input. As illustratedin FIG. 22, a video camera (1405) provides for input of the conductor(1415) against a backdrop (e.g., blue screen) (1410), which is processedby video processing unit (1420), or, alternatively as shown in FIG. 21,via body glove technology (gloves (1435) or sensors (1444) or sensorclothing (1440) or head or eye movement tracking sensor (1430) (such asused in virtual reality, flight simulation, avionics equipments (such asjets and space travel), and sports players for analyzing movement) toprovide the necessary movement input signals. This movement input isanalyzed utilizing the expert knowledge database (either learned orpreprogrammed) to automatically generate a display (video and/or audio)to provide local visual and/or audio reinforcement on the local display(such as overlaying on a then unused portion of the music score displayas a picture in a picture) to permit audio and video reinforcement ofthe conductor's body language. Thus, for example, “a hush” body languagesignal that is directed towards a particular section of the orchestrawould automatically be interpreted to cause the system to indicate, andonly on that particular section's respective displays, a message (e.g.,a big face with a finger in front of it making a hush sound, andpossibly with a “hush” sound simultaneously output from a speaker (inrehearsal mode)). The conductor mode provides many benefits toperformance and communication.

There are numerous ways to embody the conductor movement interpretationsystem. As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, one is utilizing the bodymovement detection apparatus prevalent in virtual reality, sportsmedicine, etc., as discussed above, to identify specific movementpatterns or signal parameters associated with certain movement patterns,to initiate a display presentation, audio, video, or audiovisual toprovide a presentation associated with the movement of the conductor.Alternatively, other techniques can be used such as taking the videofeed from a video camera or other video source (e.g. VCR) and having theconductor interpret his movements and assign them unique meanings, tocreate a lexicon of his movements and corresponding meaning.

For example, rapid downward movements of the hand from up to down, in acertain manner, indicate “decrease the volume.” When he points at aparticular section at the same time as he is doing that, he isindicating that only that orchestra section is to reduce volume. In thismanner, either camera input of movements, glove sensing of movements, orother techniques (such as audio, ultrasonic, etc.) can be used to trackmovement to permit associated meanings to be attached or indexed toparticular signal parameters or parametric signals of the meaning of themovement parameters as provided by the conductor input device. Forexample, in the case of the virtual reality glove, that input would bethe signal output of the glove as interpreted by associated software ina processor (such as a PC or a MAC). Alternatively, for example, in thecase of video camera input, it could be pattern recognition or analog ordigital signal comparison to determine the presence of certain signalpatterns indicating to the system to initiate automatic communication ofa conductor presentation. In so doing, the conductor is able to rapidlyconvey his meaning, focus it to a particular group of instruments, andbe done with it. He doesn't have to focus very long or concentrate tomake sure they've gotten his signal. Instead he can focus on listeningto see if they got his message.

Simple things, like looking for the conductor's rapid hand movements,focusing on specific hand movement areas, facial and head movement, armmovements, and body language can all be programmed into the recognitionknowledge base. Technology for complete mapping of body movement thatare utilized in making video games of today are illustrated in VideoSystems magazine, page 42, October 1995, Vol. 21, No. 11, and NEXTGeneration magazine, pages 49-54, October 1995, both incorporated hereinby reference.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the conductor wears a sensor equipped bodysuit (1440) and gloves (1435). In another embodiment, the conductorwears only the sensor-equipped gloves (1435) of FIG. 9. In still anotherembodiment, the conductor's movements are picked up by the video camera((1405) of FIG. 22) and processed, without using a sensor suit.

FIG. 22 illustrates a video camera (1405) and a standing conductor(1415) (or performing musician to be tracked or virtually linked toperform), with or without a blue screen (1410) behind him. The videocamera (1405) feeds a video signal to the video processing system (1420)that utilizes signal processing to provide signal pattern recognitioncapability. The blue in the screen is filtered out in the signalprocessing, such as by an Ultimate or other process.

Other methods that capture motion rely on specialized sensors or markers(1444) placed on a performer's joints, such as via a sensor body suit(1440). Once motion has been filmed or analyzed, a data set is producedto interpret that movement into Cartesian co-ordinates. Theseco-ordinates provide the spatial location of each of those markers. Thisinformation is then cleaned up and can be input to an animation package,or fed to a processing system.

The use of virtual reality technology, including motion sensors and bodygloves, permits monitoring of various other things (as shown in FIG.21). For example, as shown in FIG. 22, a camera in conjunction withanalysis logic, such as expert software, can monitor motion of rolemodel (e.g. teacher) behavior and compare performer (e.g. student)behavior. Hand, finger, arm, leg, eye, head, body, and mouth movementscan all be monitored and constructive critical feedback can beaccumulated, analyzed, and fed back to the user or teacher, forperformer training, or performances, or for conductor communication.

In any event, having now obtained knowledge related to recognition ofthe movements, the system can interpret them and utilize them to conveypresentation information to the ensemble or orchestra or studio members,or to analyze a performer's movements, or to permit a virtualperformance. One example would be a large screen television or multiplelarge screen televisions for viewing by the members of the viewinggroup. Alternatively, each music stand could provide for a picture inpicture display of special movements of the conductor in areas of thedisplay where music is not currently being played. Since the stand canhave the intelligence to compare the performed music to the playedmusic, that embodiment permits display of the message in potions of themusic display area which have already been performed or are not going tobe performed for some time (e.g., at least ten seconds in eitherdirection; other criteria could alternatively be used, and can be set upfor desired characteristics of the performing environment.)

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appendedclaims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

1. A method for providing for a video display responsive to image datarelated to a visual presentation, stored in an image database, themethod comprising: defining a selected page of image data from the imagedatabase; preparing display data to generate the visual presentationresponsive to the image data for the selected page; defining firstslices of the display data for a first orientation; defining in a secondorientation second slices of the first slices, grouping the secondslices to define logical sections; ordering the first slices frombeginning to end; ordering the second slices from beginning to end;mapping the first slices, the second slices, the logical sections, andthe ordering of the first slices and of the second slices; storing themapping in a memory for selective retrieval of selected display data;and providing for the video display of the visual presentationresponsive to the mapping and the selected display data.
 2. The methodas in claim 1, wherein the first orientation equals vertical, whereinthe second orientation equals horizontal, wherein the beginning equalstop for vertical, wherein the end equals bottom for vertical, whereinthe beginning equals left side for horizontal, and wherein the endequals right side for horizontal.
 3. The method as in claim 1, whereinthe step of providing for the display of the image is further comprisedof: defining a display width and display height for the windows to beused for display of the image; and selecting from the logical sectionsto determine a best fit to the display width and the display heightresponsive to the mapping and the display data; and displaying selectedones of the logical sections on the video display to provide a best fitresponsive to the selecting.
 4. The method as in claim 1, furthercomprising: providing user-defined page-display parameters for viewingthe selected display data; ordering the logical sections responsive tothe user-selected page display parameters; generating a user mappingdata file comprising the ordering of the logical sections; and providingfor the video display of the selected display data responsive to themapping.
 5. The method as in claim 1, further comprising: selectingportions of the selected display data and the respective selectedlogical section, as a first logical section for bookmarking a firstbookmark; selecting a specific location within the portions; associatingan associated identification (ID) with the specific locations; providingbookmark information; associating the bookmark information with theassociated ID and the specific location; providing for video display ofthe specific location responsive to user input based selection of therespective bookmark information.
 6. The method as in claim 5, furthercomprising: associating the bookmark information and the associated IDwith a second bookmark associated with a second logical section of thelogical sections, other than the selected first logical sections, forthe bookmark information; selecting the first bookmark responsive to theuser input; searching for the second bookmark having the associated IDof the respective first bookmark, responsive to the selecting of thefirst bookmark; obtaining specific locations associated with the secondbookmark responsive to the searching; and providing for visual displayof the display data for the specific locations associated with thesecond bookmark.
 7. The method as in claim 5, further comprising:providing for user input of (a) selections for bookmarking, (b) specificlocations and (c) the bookmark information, via at least one of a usertouch-screen input display, and at least one switch input.
 8. The methodas in claim 5, further comprising: providing a bookmark selection modefor displaying as a video display the bookmark information and therespective associated ID; and for providing for selection of therespective specific locations responsive to a bookmark selection input;and displaying a music visual display for the selected specificlocation.
 9. The method as in claim 8, further comprising: providing avideo display of a table of bookmarks representative of the bookmarkinformation for a plurality of the bookmarked locations.
 10. The methodas in claim 9, further comprising: structuring a layout of a pluralityof bookmarks in the video display for the table of bookmarks so as toappear within the video display of the bookmark information in the tableof bookmarks located in a structured visual physical juxtaposition andvisually related so as to convey information content by relativeplacement of the bookmarks in the video display.
 11. The method as inclaim 10, wherein the structured layout provides the information contentrelating to major movements, minor movements, relatively close sections,and relatively far sections via color and position of the bookmarks inthe table of in the bookmarks in the video display.
 12. The method, asin claim 1, wherein the visual presentation is of music, wherein theimage data is music data, and wherein the image database is a musicdatabase.
 13. The method as in claim 1, wherein the page-displayparameters are at least one of page-size, orientation and resolution.14. The method as in claim 1, wherein the selected visual presentationdata is communicated to a remote memory.
 15. The method as in claim 1,further comprising: storing data for the defined logical sections asrespective addresses in the memory, wherein the addresses point to theselected display data; mapping the addresses in accordance with theordering of the logical sections; generating a mapping data filecomprising the mapping of the addresses; storing the mapping data filein the memory; and utilizing the mapping data file to reconstruct thelogical sections.
 16. The method as in claim 1, further comprising:providing an overlay of user-defined annotations atop the video dispalyof a respective area of selected data for viewing; generating a mappingof the user-defined annotations to the respective selected dispaly data;and providing for the video display of the selected display data withthe user- defined annotations responsive to the mapping.
 17. The methodas in claim 16, further comprising: storing data for the defined logicalsections as respective addresses in a memory, wherein the addressespoint to the selected dispaly data; mapping the addresses in accordancewith the ordering of the logical sections; generating a mapping datafile comprising the mapping of the addresses; storing the mapping datafile in a memory; storing the user-defined annotations as user-defineddata associated with respective selected display data; and utilizing themapping data file and the user-defined data to reconstruct a visualpresentation of the logical sections with the user-defined annotationsoverlaid atop the respective area.
 18. The method as in claim 17,further comprising: selecting a specific user as a selected specificuser from a plurality of specific users; associating the user-definedannotations for the selected specific user with the selected specificuser; and providing for selective video display of the respectiveuser-defined annotations for the selected specific user responsive tothe selecting of the specific user from the plurality of users.
 19. Animage display system comprising: a source of an image database providingimage data representative of visual images; providing display data forgenerating a video presentation responsive to the image data; a videodisplay providing a video presentation having a definable display size;a processing subsystem comprised of a processor, memory providinginstruction data and other data; and a user input providing at least foruser selection of the display size, wherein the processor is responsiveto the user selection of the display size and to the instruction data,providing for successive sub-sectioning of a composition of the displaydata providing for definition of a page of display data; definition offirst slices of the display data for a first orientation; and definitionof a second orientation of second slice of the first slices to definelogical sections; wherein the processor provides for ordering the firstslices from beginning to end; and then ordering the second slices frombeginning to end; wherein the processor provides for storing in thememory a mapping of the first slices and of the second slices forselective retrieval; and wherein the video display provides a visualpresentation of the visual images responsive to the mapping.
 20. Thesystem as in claim 19, wherein the visual images are representative ofvisual images of music notation.
 21. The system as in claim 19, whereinthe visual images are representative of visual images of text.
 22. Thesystem as in claim 19, wherein the first orientation equals vertical andthe second orientation equals horizontal; wherein the beginning equalstop for vertical; wherein the end equals bottom for vertical; andwherein the beginning equals left side for horizontal, and wherein theend equals right side for horizontal.
 23. The system as in claim 19,wherein the user selection of the display size is utilized in defining amaximum display width and a maximum display height for the videopresentation; wherein selected ones of the logical sections are selectedto determine a best fit to the maximum display width and the maximumdisplay height responsive to the mapping; and wherein the selected onesof the logical sections are provided as the video presentation on thevideo display so as to provide a best fit.
 24. The system as in claim19, wherein responsive to the user input of selecting portions of theimage data of the selected logical sections for bookmarking, andselecting a specific location within the portions and providing bookmarkinformation, the system associates an associated identification (ID)with the specific location; and wherein the system further provides forassociating the bookmark information with the associated ID and thespecific location; wherein thereafter the processor subsystem isresponsive to the user input, to provide for selective video display ofthe specific location responsive to user input based on the respectivebookmark information.
 25. The system as in claim 24, wherein thebookmark information is associated with a second associated ID; whereinthe system is responsive to the user input, for selecting a firstbookmark; wherein the processing subsystem searches for a secondbookmark having a respective first associated ID equal to the secondassociated ID of the respective first bookmark, responsive to theselecting of the first bookmark, to obtain the specific locationsassociated with the second bookmark responsive to the searching; andwherein the system provides a video display of the visual presentationfor the specific location associated with the second bookmark.
 26. Thesystem as in claim 24, wherein the user input provides for selection ofbookmarking, identification of specific locations and entry of bookmarkinformation via at least one of a user touch-screen input display, atleast one switch input, and voice recognition.
 27. The system as inclaim 24, wherein the system provides a bookmark selection mode fordisplaying the bookmark information and the respective associated ID;wherein the user input provides a bookmark selection input; whereinselection of the specific location is responsive to the bookmarkselection input; and wherein the video display provides a videopresentation for the selected specific locations.
 28. The system as inclaim 27, wherein the system further provides a video presentation for atable of bookmarks representative of the bookmark information for atleast some of the bookmarked locations.
 29. The system as in claim 28,wherein there are a plurality of bookmarks having respective associatedbookmark information and further having respective associated bookmarklocations, wherein the processing subsystem provides for structuring fordisplay a layout of at least some of the bookmarks in the videopresentation of the table of bookmarks in a relationship to conveyinformation content by relative placement of the respective bookmarks toone another in the video presentation.
 30. The system as in claim 29,wherein the bookmarks are displayed in colors, wherein the color of thebookmarks in the video presentation is utilized in the structuring thelayout of the bookmarks to convey relative position of ordering of thevideo presentation associated with the respective bookmarks to oneanother.
 31. The system as in claim 29, wherein the structured layoutprovides information content relating to relative importance of thespecific location as to relatively close sections, and relatively farsections, via position in the video presentation display of therespective bookmarks in the table of bookmarks in the videopresentation.
 32. The system as in claim 30, wherein the structuredlayout in the video presentation of the bookmark information providesinformation content relating to relative importance of the specificlocation as to relatively close sections, and relatively far sections,via color and juxtaposition in the display of the respective bookmarksin the table of bookmarks in the video presentation.
 33. The system asin claim 19, further comprising: a network interface for communicatingthe selected display data to a remote system for video display.
 34. Amethod of displaying a video presentation of performance notation forperformance data comprising: processing a defined page of theperformance data to provide display data for generating the videopresentation for the displaying of a visual page of the performancenotation defining display parameters; selecting logical sections fromthe display data responsive to the display parameters; determininglogical ordering of the logical sections and defining advancement ofdisplay of the performance data responsive to the display parameters;displaying the display data as a video display presentation responsiveto the logical sections and the defined logical ordering.
 35. The methodas in claim 34, wherein the performance notation is music notation, andwherein the performance data is music data.
 36. The method as in claim34, wherein the performance notation is script and wherein theperformance data generates a video display presentation of script pages.37. The method as in claim 34, further comprising: evaluating theperformance data to find a largest logical section, responsive to thedisplay parameters, and utilizing the largest logical section to definea scale utilized in providing the video presentation for other ones ofthe logical sections to be displayed; and providing a video displaypresentation responsive to the evaluating.
 38. The method as in claim34, further comprising: providing for user definition of at least someof the display parameters.
 39. The method as in claim 34, furthercomprising: defining page-size and pagination of the video displaypresentation of the performance data responsive to the displayparameters.
 40. The method as in claim 34, further comprising: alteringthe logical ordering of the logical sections responsive to displayadvancement control parameters; and advancing the display presentationresponsive to the altering the logical ordering.
 41. The method as inclaim 40, wherein the display advancement control parameters are fornavigating to specific ones of the logical sections and are of at leastone of a repeat, a jump ahead, multiple branches and returns, a CODA,and a jump back, the method further comprising: displaying the specificone of the logical sections on a video display responsive to the displayadvancement control parameters.
 42. The method as in claim 34, furthercomprising: initially defining page-size and pagination for the videodisplay presentation of the display data responsive to a defaultordering of the logical sections of the performance data.
 43. The methodas in claim 42, wherein the performance data is coupled from a source,the method further comprising: initially defining the page-size andpagination for the default ordering of the logical sections of thedisplay data responsive to parameters defined by the source.
 44. Themethod as in claim 43, further comprising: providing for user definitionof at least some of the display parameters as user-defined parameters;and logically ordering and displaying the logical sections responsive tothe user-defined parameters, rather than in the default ordering.
 45. Amethod for processing and structuring data to provide for video displaypresentation thereof, the method comprising: providing a databasecomprising at least one data file having plurality of pages ofpresentation data each having a corresponding video presentation whichcan be generated; processing the presentation data for a selected one ofthe pages to generate respective display data for the respectivecorresponding video presentation; defining the display data into definedpages having a given display resolution and a given size; defining firstslices, for each of the defined pages, of the display data for a firstorientation; defining second slices of each of the first slices todefine logical sections; ordering the first slices from beginning toend, ordering the second slices from beginning to end; and displaying abest-fit number of logical sections on each of the defined pages of thevideo presentation at the given display resolution and the given size.46. The method as in claim 45, further comprising: mapping of the firstslices and the second slices, respectively, to the ordering of the firstslices and the second slices, respectively.
 47. The method as in claim45, wherein the data file is music data, and wherein the videopresentation is of pages of music notation.
 48. The method as in claim45, wherein: the first orientation equals vertical, and the secondorientation equals horizontal, where the beginning equals top forvertical, where the end equals bottom for vertical, where the beginningequals left side for horizontal, and where the end equals the right sidefor horizontal.
 49. The method as in claim 45, wherein: the firstorientation equals horizontal, and the second orientation equalsvertical, where the beginning equals top for vertical, where the endequals bottom for vertical, where the beginning equals right side forhorizontal, and where the end equals the left side for horizontal.
 50. Amethod for providing a video presentation display of music imagesresponsive to music data in a music file from a music database,comprised of: generating music image data utilized in the videopresentation display responsive to the music data; first defininglogical pages of the music image data; ordering the logical pages ofmusic image data so as to be in a logical page order in correspondenceto a defined page ordering parameter; obtaining a first page; definingfirst slices; obtaining a first slice; defining second slice for thefirst slice; repeatedly obtaining a next first slice, and if found,defining second slices, until there are no remaining frames of the firstslices and a completely sliced page is then completed; and mapping thefirst slices and the second slices in a logical ordering; providing forgeneration of a video presentation display responsive to the mapping.51. The method as in claim 50, wherein defining the first slices by atleast one of: obtaining user input to describe break points between thefirst slices; and automatically finding horizontal lines which crossblank portions of a current display page.
 52. The method as in claim 51,further comprising: obtaining user input to describe break pointsbetween the second slices to define the page ordering parameter.
 53. Themethod as in claim 51, further comprising: obtaining previously storedinformation associated with the current display page to define the pageordering parameter.
 54. The method as in claim 51, further comprising:automatically finding measures in the music image data to define thepage ordering parameter.
 55. The method as in claim 50, furthercomprising: continuing processing when no more first slices are found todefine the page as a completely sliced page, and proceeding to obtain anext page, and repeating the method until no further pages areavailable.
 56. The method as in claim 50, further comprising: orderingthe second slices responsive to the page ordering parameter; creatinglogical groups of the second slices by repeating the method untilcompleted, by: (a) first creating an empty logical group; (b) getting anext ordered second slice, if available; (c) processing to determinewhether the next ordered second slice will fit on the video presentationdisplay along with other second slices in the respective logical group;(d) adding the respective next ordered second slice if it is determinedthat it will fit, and adding the slice to the respective logical group;(e) retrieving the next ordered second slice; (f) determining when therespective next ordered second slice cannot be added to the respectivelogical group and storing in a defined order the respective logicalgroup in a local storage; (g) determining when there are no more secondslices to process, and storing in a defined order the respective logicalgroup in the local storage; and; providing for visual display of thelogical groups of second slices in the defined order stored in the localstorage.
 57. The method as in claim 56, further comprising: associatingeach of a plurality of bookmarks with various respective logical grouplocations on the pages; selecting the bookmarks for display; orderingthe bookmarks in a same order as the logical groups are stored in localstorage; associating for every bookmark, a location on the respectivelogical page so that a respective bookmark is associated with arespective one of the logical groups when the respective bookmark fallswithin a displayable area of the video presentation display covered bythe respective logical group.
 58. The method as in claim 57, whereineach said bookmark has a respective type as one of a composition,bookmark, a section bookmark, and a simple bookmark, the method furthercomprising: selecting one of the bookmarks; checking the respectivebookmark to determine its type and whether it is at least one of thecomposition bookmark indicating a beginning of the composition bookmark,the section bookmark and the simple bookmark; treating all followinglogical blocks as a part of a same composition responsive to determiningthe type as the composition bookmarks until another composition bookmarkis found; treating all of the following logical blocks as a part of asection of the music data responsive to determining the type as asection bookmark until another section bookmark or a compositionbookmark is found; and treating only a single one of the logical blocksas associated with a simple bookmark responsive to determining the typeas a simple bookmark.
 59. The method as in claim 58, further comprising:creating a display list for video presentation of the compositionbookmarks, the section bookmarks, and the simple bookmarks; associatingwithin the display list, a common display color with each of the typesof bookmarks.
 60. The method as in claim 59, further comprising:determining whether a specific bookmark is associated with a respectivelogical block within a current displayed section; displaying thebookmark as a black button in a list of bookmarks responsive to thedetermining the specific bookmark is associated with the respectivelogical block.
 61. The method as in claim 57, further comprising:associating an object with a selective one of the respective bookmarks;associating the location of the selected one of the respective bookmarkswith the respective objects; and associating the respective logicalgroup for the selected one of the respective bookmarks with therespective object.
 62. The method as in claim 61, further comprising:providing a presentation responsive to the respective objectconcurrently with the display of the related logical groups.
 63. Themethod as in claim 62, wherein the object is comprised of at least oneof: control data, a video image, a drawing component, a sound image, anda movie.
 64. The method as in claim 61, further comprising: initiating adefined action responsive to the object.
 65. The method as in claim 64,wherein the defined action is responsive to an event, wherein the eventis comprised of: providing an initial presentation; selecting one of thelogical group and respective objects; and providing one of creation ofand destruction of at least one of the logical groups and the respectiveobjects from the stored information in the local storage.
 66. The methodas in claim 64, further comprising: causing a specific logical block tobe displayed responsive to the object, and sending information toanother system causing a changing of state of an object of said anothersystem.